The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, has destroyed 1,015 sacks of dried donkey meat and skin in Edo, as part of its efforts to combat the illegal trade of endangered species.
According to Jerry Attah, Public Relations Officer of NCS, FOU, Zone C, the items were seized between July 15 and September 15. The destruction was carried out in collaboration with other regulatory agencies.
Controller of the unit, Comptroller Michael Ugbagu emphasised the importance of protecting wildlife through collaborative efforts.
He said as a signatory to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), Nigeria prohibits the trade in donkeys. Additionally, the National Council on Agricultural and Rural Development banned large-scale donkey slaughter in 2017 to prevent extinction.
Ugbagu noted that donkey parts are highly valued in Asia, particularly in China, for consumption and medical purposes. Smugglers have become creative, using luxurious buses to transport donkey meat at night to evade arrest.
“We cannot afford to lose our donkeys on the altar of illicit exports, especially considering their economic importance for agricultural purposes,” Ugbagu said.
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