Customs foil donkey genitals smuggling, intercepts 40ft container

In a renewed clampdown on illegal wildlife trade, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with donkey genitals and hides allegedly being smuggled out of the country through the Apapa port in Lagos. The interception, which Customs officials described as a significant success in curbing wildlife trafficking, was made during a routine inspection at the export terminal.

According to the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Babajide Jaiyeoba, the seized container was falsely declared as carrying animal hides, but upon examination, officers discovered a large quantity of dried donkey genitals concealed alongside the hides. He explained that the illegal consignment was destined for export to an Asian country where donkey parts, particularly genitals, are believed to have high medicinal and aphrodisiac value.

Jaiyeoba said the interception followed credible intelligence and highlights the Customs Service’s commitment to enforcing Nigeria’s ban on the export of donkey parts. He lamented that despite existing laws, smugglers continue to exploit Nigeria’s borders, endangering the country’s donkey population for quick financial gains.

The export of donkey skin and parts has been a growing concern for conservationists and agricultural stakeholders. Nigeria remains one of the key sources for donkey parts in the illicit global trade, driven by high demand in parts of Asia for traditional medicine and the production of ejiao, a gelatin derived from donkey skin.

Jaiyeoba warned that the continued depletion of the donkey population poses serious threats to rural livelihoods, as donkeys play a crucial role in farming and transportation in many communities. “We cannot afford to allow economic saboteurs to drive these animals to extinction for the benefit of a few. The law is clear, and we will enforce it diligently,” he said.

The seized container, which has an estimated market value running into hundreds of millions of naira, has been handed over to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service for further investigation. Customs also disclosed that the suspects connected to the shipment are under investigation and will face prosecution according to Nigerian laws prohibiting the trafficking of endangered species and their parts.

Jaiyeoba reiterated the Service’s resolve to deploy advanced technology, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency collaboration to prevent the illegal trade in wildlife and protect Nigeria’s biodiversity. He called on the public to support the government’s efforts by providing credible information on smugglers and illegal exporters.

The illegal donkey parts trade has attracted global scrutiny in recent years. According to the Donkey Sanctuary, an international animal welfare charity, millions of donkeys are slaughtered annually worldwide to meet rising demand for ejiao. In response, several African countries have banned the slaughter and export of donkeys to protect their dwindling populations.

In Nigeria, the government has stepped up border patrols and inspection activities at ports and airports to tackle the trade. However, enforcement remains a challenge due to porous borders and the lucrative profits that entice traffickers to devise new methods of concealment.

Industry experts have urged the government to adopt stricter penalties for offenders and to promote sustainable alternatives that reduce the economic incentive for rural communities to sell donkeys for slaughter. They also advocate for increased awareness campaigns to educate communities on the ecological and economic importance of donkeys.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have called for greater regional cooperation among West African countries to address cross-border smuggling networks that exploit weak enforcement in different jurisdictions. Enhanced collaboration, they argue, will help dismantle trafficking syndicates and safeguard the region’s wildlife.

As investigations into the intercepted shipment continue, the Nigeria Customs Service has pledged to remain vigilant and proactive in disrupting the operations of wildlife traffickers, assuring Nigerians that such illegal activities will not go unpunished.