The Nigeria Customs Service has officially transferred custody of a container load of donkey genitals to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency after its interception along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.

The seizure, made on June 5 at approximately 9:00 p.m., was part of ongoing operations aimed at curbing illegal wildlife trafficking across the country.

At a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, Customs National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, speaking on behalf of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, explained that the 40-foot container was intercepted through a joint surveillance operation conducted by the Special Wildlife Office and Customs Intelligence Unit.

He said the action demonstrates the persistent threat posed by organised networks exploiting endangered species for profit.

“This seizure is not an isolated incident. Over the past 12 months, the Special Wildlife Office has uncovered and disrupted multiple illicit wildlife trafficking operations across the country.

“Noteworthy among these include the recovery of six African Grey Parrots and the arrest of one suspect on 10 December 2024 at Kano, the interception of two live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, two Tantalus monkeys, one baby baboon and an African Grey Parrot at Lagos Airport in May 2025. In another separate operation, there was an arrest of one suspect in the Ikom area of Cross River State linked to seizures of 213 parrot heads, six eagle heads, 128 hornbill heads, and other exotic species.

“On 13 January 2025, the Service handed over rescued tortoises to the National Park Service in Oyo State. Several seizures involving taxidermy specimens, such as life-sized lions, zebra hides, gorilla parts, and pangolin scales have been recorded in various ports and logistics routes nationwide. One such case involved 119.4kg of pangolin scales found in a container concealed in sacks around Calabar area of Cross River State. In another development, 120 African Grey Parrots were rescued, and one suspect was arrested in Fufore area of Adamawa State.

“These figures underscore the scale, sophistication, and profitability of the illegal wildlife trade,” Maiwada said

He said many of these cases are connected to transnational crime groups engaged in wildlife trafficking alongside other offences such as money laundering and arms smuggling. The Customs spokesman stressed that the Service is enhancing its enforcement capacity through digital surveillance, forensic analysis, and inter-agency coordination under the guidance of Comptroller-General Adeniyi.

Maiwada also called on the public to report suspicious activity, particularly in border communities and logistics zones, and reiterated the Service’s commitment to enforcing both national laws and international agreements like CITES.

The transfer ceremony, held at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu, Abuja, marks another step in inter-agency collaboration to tackle wildlife crime across Nigeria.