By Muhammad Opeyemi
Lagos, June 24, ’25 (TNZ) The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C in Owerri, intercepted 13.6 kilogrammes of dry donkey skin worth N3.6 billion in Owerri, Imo State.
TheNewsZenith reports that the dry animal skins were warehoused in a 40ft container and were billed for export.
The Customs Area Controller, FOU Zone C, Abdullahi Balogun, announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Balogun said the eagle-eyed officers uncovered the prohibited item, classified as dried salted donkey skin, following a comprehensive examination of the container.
According to him, dry donkey skin is a product under the Federal Government’s export prohibition list.
The government prohibited dry donkey skin due to its implications on biodiversity, environmental balance.
“Upon examination, our men discovered that the items were packed in 10 pieces per sack and nine pieces per sack.
“All totaled 3,022 pieces. Each dry salted donkey skin has an average weight of 4.5 kilogrammes, giving a total weight of 13,599 kilogrammes.
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“ Eagle-eyed officers of the Federal Operations Unit Zone C in Owerri intercepted a 40-ft containerised donkey skin, billed for illegal export and worth N3.6 billion.
“Further investigations revealed the global price of dry salted donkey skin stands at $750 and a unit price of $166.6 per kilogramme,” TheNewsZenith quotes Balogun as saying.
The controller commended the dedication and professionalism of the operatives involved in the seizure.
Balogun emphasised that the leadership of the NCS remains committed to enforcing government trade policies and combating the smuggling of endangered goods.
He warned individuals and syndicates involved in the illegal trade of wildlife and restricted items to desist from the act.
The Area Controller stressed that the service would continue intensifying surveillance, intelligence gathering, and strategic enforcement operations across all zones. (TNZ)
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