Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C, Owerri, has intercepted a 40-foot container loaded with dry salted donkey skin, valued at approximately ₦3.6 billion, in Imo State.
In a statement released on Tuesday, June 24, the Service
disclosed that the seizure was made following a thorough examination of the
container by its eagle-eyed officers, who discovered the prohibited consignment
intended for illegal export.
Dry donkey skin, also known as ejiao in traditional Chinese
medicine, is classified under Nigeria’s Export Prohibition List due to its
impact on biodiversity, environmental stability, and the growing concerns
around the illegal trade of endangered species.
According to Customs, the intercepted consignment contained
3,022 pieces of dry donkey skin, packed in sacks containing either 9 or 10
pieces each. Each piece weighs an average of 4.5 kilograms, bringing the total
weight to 13.599 metric tons.
The market value of the seizure was calculated based on the
current global price of dry salted donkey skin, which stands at $750 per unit
and $166.6 per kilogram.
Customs Area Controller for FOU Zone C, Comptroller Abdullahi
Balogun, praised the officers involved for their vigilance, professionalism,
and commitment to upholding Nigeria’s trade laws. He emphasised that the
leadership of Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi is fully focused on enforcing
trade policies and cracking down on the smuggling of banned and endangered
products.
“This interception sends a strong message to individuals and
smuggling syndicates involved in the illicit wildlife trade. We will continue
to strengthen surveillance, gather intelligence, and intensify enforcement
operations across all zones,” Balogun stated.
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