Customs intercept smugglers, recovers Donkey phallus, skin, others worth over N498 million

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command has intercepted smugglers with contraband items stocked in 40 containers smuggled into the country.

Besides, the area command also apprehended four international businessmen while attempting to export dry donkey phallus and skins to China through the land borders.

Briefing journalists on Thursday on the anti-smuggling activities and revenue generation of the command since January 2022, the new area controller, Mohammad Abubakar Umar, disclosed that suspects arrested in connection with the Donkey were found with 2, 754 phalli and 3,712 skin valued at over N418 million.

Comptroller Umar, who stressed that Donkey, categorised as an endangered animal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild fauna and flora which Nigeria is a signatory, insisted the service would go the extra mile to curtail all attempts to send the animal into extinction.

Reacting to the alleged diversion of petroleum products from Nigeria to neighbouring African countries through the land borders within the purview of the command, the customs boss emphatically denied knowledge of such illegal business of those unpatriotic marketers.

While emphasizing the prohibition of foreign items which contravened section 46 of CEMA Cap C45 LFN 2004, Compt. Umar declared zero tolerance for smuggling activities capable of truncating the country’s economic viability and national security.

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, Compt. 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 recognise the effort of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), 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 strengthening the enforcement unit of the command was re-invigorated to brace-up for the new anti-smuggling operations,” he said.