Nigerian Customs Intercept Donkey, Donkey Phallus Bound For Export

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command has intercepted smugglers with contraband items stocked in 40 containers smuggled into the country and arrested four international businessmen trying to export dry donkey phallus and skins to China through the land borders.

Speaking on Thursday in Kano, the area controller, Mohammad Abubakar Umar, said the businessmen were arrested in connection with the Donkey found with 2, 754 phalli and 3,712 skin valued at over N418 million.

He said the donkey has been classified as an endangered animal, adding that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild fauna and flora which Nigeria is a signatory seeks to prevent some animals from going into extinction.

 Other contraband items intercepted from January 2022 include 1,031 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice, 131 bundles of second-hand clothes, 22 sacks of rubber shoes, 15 cartons of milky non-dairy powder, and other items worth over N498 million.

 On revenue generation between January and March 2022, Comptroller Umar disclosed that the area command earned over N10, 107,621, 239. He explained that the amount of revenue generated was higher than revenue raked during the period in 2021 by over N2 billion.

“At this period of economic recovery, it’s essential to recognize the effort of the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali retired, in the implementation of policies and agenda of the Federal Government to encourage and protect officers and men to suppressing smuggling across the Nation’s borders. “This moment marks a fresh opportunity for a cordial working relationship between Nigeria Customs Service and you the stakeholders and business community. One of our core functions is to ensure the facilitation of legitimate trade.

"We would continue to strengthen the enforcement unit of the command, which was re-invigorated to brace-up for the new anti-smuggling operations,” he said.