Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone “B” Kaduna, have interrupted two separate consignments containing bones and dried donkey meat, as well as other contraband worth over N3 billion.
The Comptroller of the Unit, Mr. Ahmadu Shuaibu, made this known while briefing newsmen on the interceptions made in the zone from April 1 to May 17.
He said five suspects were arrested during all the seizures, adding, ”’ it is of great importance to intercept the illegal produce of donkey.
”This illegal trade is being perpetrated by some unscrupulous elements with no regard for the lives and preservation of endangered species like the donkey, which is nearing extinction.”
According to him, the illegal trading clearly contravenes section 55 (1), paragraphs c and i (1) of the NCS Act 2023.
“It says that the imports and exports shall, where applicable, be subject to prohibitions and restrictions relating to the protection of the health and life of humans, animals, or plants,” Shuabiu said.
He added that the government was concerned that donkeys were part of rare animals that were being driven towards extinction by activities of unscrupulous elements.
Shuaibu said, ”And Nigeria is a signatory to the international convention for the continued prevention of endangered species.”
The comptroller also listed other items seized, including 58,740 sachets of Tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Anelgin injection.
They were seized by the operatives of the unit on May 2, along the Saminaka to Nimbiya to Kafanchan axis of Kaduna State.
He explained that the illicit drugs were neatly concealed with motor spare parts, saying that 12 vehicles were also seized.
Others were: 174 bags of foreign rice, 50 kg each; 234 jerry cans of petrol; and 109 bags of second hand clothing Shuaibu also mentioned 367 cartons of spaghetti, 50 cartons of macaroni and 47 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil
He also listed 6 sacks of used shoes, 100 sacks of snuff, 30 bags of foreign sugar and 2,255 cartons of herbicides, among others.
The comptroller also appreciated the efforts of his officers and men while reiterating commitment in carrying his duty without fear or favour
“Those who wish to try our resolve should have a rethink as we shall be unsparing in implementing the laws and policy directives of the Federal Government as directed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi and his management team,” he said .
He explained that anti-smuggling initiatives were going beyond the old traditional physical measures.
Shuaibu said, ”NCS has sharpened its skill in intelligence gathering through improved information technology kits.”
