Customs intercepts 40ft container smuggling donkey genitals, foils illicit wildlife trade attempt

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with thousands of dried donkey genitals at the Apapa Port in Lagos, foiling a major attempt to smuggle the banned animal parts out of the country.

The container, which was disguised as carrying conventional goods, was discovered during a routine inspection by customs officials, who became suspicious of inconsistencies in the shipping documents.

Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, announced the seizure during a press briefing on Thursday, revealing that the illicit consignment was destined for export to China, where donkey genitals are in high demand for use in traditional medicine and exotic culinary purposes.

According to Adeniyi, the intercepted container held over 750 sacks of dried donkey penises, commonly referred to as “donkey hides and skins” in smuggling circles. The items were hidden beneath layers of innocuous goods in an attempt to evade detection. Customs officials, however, used advanced scanning equipment and physical examination to uncover the illegal cargo.

“The smuggling of donkey parts is not only a violation of Nigerian wildlife and export regulations but also represents a serious threat to the species population and our national reputation,” Adeniyi said. “This seizure underscores our renewed commitment to protecting endangered animals and halting the exploitation of Nigeria as a transit hub for illegal wildlife trade.”

He disclosed that the NCS acted on credible intelligence and worked in collaboration with the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and other international partners to apprehend the shipment. The customs boss also confirmed that an investigation has been launched to trace the origin of the consignment and arrest those behind the syndicate responsible for the illicit trade.

Donkeys are not listed as endangered under global conservation lists, but their populations have been declining rapidly in Nigeria and other African countries due to the growing demand for their hides and reproductive parts. The export of donkey meat, hides, and genitals is prohibited under Nigerian law, in line with the country’s commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Adeniyi stressed that the activities of smugglers involved in the donkey trade are economically and environmentally damaging. “The indiscriminate slaughtering of donkeys for export not only threatens local livelihoods, especially in rural communities that rely on the animals for farming and transportation, but also violates our laws and international obligations.”

The NCS warned that it will intensify border surveillance, cargo profiling, and inter-agency collaboration to root out wildlife trafficking, particularly as smugglers become more sophisticated in concealing contraband in legitimate trade routes. Customs also reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on illegal exports, including animal parts, timber, pangolin scales, and other prohibited items.

A senior official of the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service, who participated in the inspection, confirmed that the donkey genitals were packed in violation of biosecurity standards and posed health risks if allowed into the global supply chain. “These animal parts are often processed under unhygienic conditions and could carry zoonotic diseases,” the official stated.

The container is now under full customs custody, and samples have been sent for laboratory analysis. Meanwhile, stakeholders in the animal rights community and conservation NGOs have commended the NCS for the seizure, calling it a major win against illegal wildlife trade in West Africa.

“This action sends a strong message to traffickers and complicit exporters that Nigeria is no longer a safe route for the illegal wildlife market,” said Ruth Oduka, a representative of the Nigerian Wildlife Protection Initiative. “We call on authorities to ensure swift prosecution of all those involved and push for tighter enforcement of wildlife laws at the ports.”

The Nigeria Customs Service also encouraged citizens to report suspicious cargo movements and warned shipping companies and freight forwarders to conduct proper due diligence before accepting goods for international shipment. Failure to comply, the agency said, may lead to revocation of licenses, heavy fines, and possible criminal charges.

This seizure comes amid heightened global awareness about the devastating impact of the illegal wildlife trade, which fuels biodiversity loss and disrupts ecological balance. Nigeria, often cited as a transit point for such illegal activities, has been under pressure from international environmental groups to step up enforcement and transparency.

As investigations continue, the Customs Service vowed to work with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and global partners to ensure that Nigeria plays no further role in wildlife crimes. The agency assured the public that all culprits involved in the smuggling of the intercepted container would be brought to justice.