The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, Kaduna, has formally handed over a massive seizure of donkey bones and skins to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
The items, intercepted in separate operations, include 700 bags of donkey bones valued at ₦1.86bn and 2,500 pieces of donkey skins valued at ₦2,076,554,373.10, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦3.94bn.
The handover ceremony was conducted on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, in Kaduna, where the Customs Comptroller, Comptroller Aminu Sule, officially transferred custody of the seized items to the NESREA State Coordinator, Mr. Hene Emmanuel.
Speaking at the event, Comptroller Sule strongly condemned the illicit trade in donkey parts, describing it as a grave ecological and socio-economic threat.
He noted that donkeys remain crucial to rural communities for transportation and livelihood support, stressing that their indiscriminate slaughter undermines sustainable development and food security.
“The Federal Operations Unit Zone B is committed to enforcing environmental laws, protecting endangered species, and ensuring that Nigeria does not become a transit hub for illegal wildlife trade. This seizure is a clear warning to traffickers” he stated.
Customs works with sister agencies
The Comptroller emphasized that the successful seizure and handover highlight the importance of inter-agency collaboration, aligning with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi’s Three-Point Agenda of Collaboration, Consolidation, and Innovation.
He commended his officers and partner agencies for their vigilance, professionalism, and dedication.
Comptroller Sule appealed to communities, transporters, warehouse operators, and traders to support the Service by reporting suspicious activities linked to wildlife trafficking.
He reaffirmed FOU Zone B’s resolve to protect Nigeria’s natural heritage for future generations.
