Customs Intercepts 40-Foot Container Laden with Donkey Genitals, Foils Wildlife Smuggling Ring

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a massive consignment of donkey genitals hidden inside a 40-foot container, dealing a major blow to an illicit wildlife trafficking network that has been exploiting Nigeria’s transit routes. The dramatic bust, carried out along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway, has once again put a spotlight on the growing black market trade in animal parts and the efforts of security agencies to clamp down on the illegal trade threatening the country’s biodiversity.

The operation, which took place in June but was made public during a press briefing this week, revealed the scale and audacity of traffickers who have increasingly targeted donkeys for their skins and genitals. Officials said the intercepted container contained no fewer than 10,600 male donkey genitals destined for export through Nigeria’s ports, likely en route to parts of Asia where such items are in high demand for traditional medicines and exotic culinary markets.

Speaking in Abuja, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, explained that the interception was made possible by intensified surveillance and intelligence-gathering by the Special Wildlife Office and the Customs Intelligence Unit. He stated that the seized items have since been handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency for further investigation and disposal.

Maiwada described the smuggling attempt as a serious violation of both national and international laws governing the trade in wildlife and endangered species. He emphasised that donkey trafficking is not only an environmental concern but also an economic one, as the depletion of donkey populations threatens livelihoods in rural communities where donkeys serve as vital working animals for transport and farming.

“Donkeys are being hunted to near extinction in some parts of the country due to this illicit trade. What we intercepted is just a fraction of what is being trafficked daily. If this continues unchecked, the rural poor who depend on donkeys for their everyday activities will be the hardest hit,” Maiwada warned.

According to him, the seizure forms part of a broader push by the Customs Service to enforce the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as well as Nigeria’s national environmental protection laws. The agency has stepped up its game with the establishment of the Special Wildlife Office which works in collaboration with local and international partners to track and dismantle trafficking syndicates.

Customs officials noted that this is not an isolated case. In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a worrying increase in the trafficking of donkey skins and genitals, pangolin scales, ivory, and other wildlife parts. Several multi-million naira shipments have been intercepted at ports and borders, pointing to a sophisticated network that sources, packages, and ships these items to lucrative markets abroad.

Wildlife conservationists have repeatedly raised concerns that Nigeria is fast becoming a major transit hub for wildlife traffickers operating across West and Central Africa. The porous nature of Nigeria’s borders and the presence of weak enforcement in some areas have made the country attractive to syndicates who take advantage of the gaps in monitoring.

At the handover event, officials from the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency commended the Customs Service for its vigilance and called for greater public awareness. According to NESREA, donkey populations in Nigeria have declined sharply due to uncontrolled slaughter driven by the export demand for donkey skins and parts. In some northern communities, donkeys have become so scarce that their prices have tripled, making them unaffordable for local farmers and traders.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed that the Service remains committed to fighting all forms of smuggling, including the trafficking of wildlife products. He disclosed that the Service is upgrading its intelligence capacity and deploying technology to track suspicious shipments more effectively.

Adeniyi also highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between Customs and local communities. He urged the public to provide credible information that can lead to the arrest of traffickers and the dismantling of supply chains that enable the illegal wildlife trade.

Economic analysts have warned that beyond the environmental toll, the illegal wildlife trade poses national security risks, as it is often linked to other criminal activities such as money laundering, arms trafficking, and currency smuggling. Many trafficking syndicates use the proceeds to finance other illicit ventures, undermining governance and security in vulnerable regions.

The seizure of the 40-foot container of donkey genitals marks another milestone in Nigeria’s fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. It also serves as a reminder that the country remains a key player in the global effort to protect endangered species and preserve ecosystems that support millions of people.

As investigations continue, authorities have vowed to prosecute anyone found culpable in the smuggling operation to the full extent of the law. For now, the Customs Service is urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, stressing that winning the war against wildlife traffickers will require the collective effort of government, communities, and international partners working together to close the channels that make such crimes possible.