FOU ‘A’ Customs Pledges Tougher Anti-Smuggling Measures, Uncovers Donkey Skin Worth N4.24B

FOU ‘A’ Customs Pledges Tougher Anti-Smuggling Measures, Uncovers Donkey Skin Worth N4.24B

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, has pledged to adopt tougher measures to combat smuggling.

The unit head, Comptroller Kola Oladeji, made the commitment on Tuesday, 4 February 2025, during a media briefing on the activities of FOU Zone ‘A’ between 25 December 2024 and 4 February 2025. During the briefing, he unveiled a massive seizure of donkey skin, bound for export, worth N4.24 billion.

According to Oladeji, the unit’s intelligence-driven operations and collaborative efforts with relevant security agencies have achieved this remarkable success. He noted that the seized donkey skin – totalling 4,410 pieces – clearly violates the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

“It is not gain saying that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits trade in vulnerable species. With the slaughter of over four thousand donkeys and an attempt to smuggle them out of the country, CITES has been violated, and we shall investigate thoroughly to unmask the unscrupulous individuals behind this act,” Oladeji assured.

In addition to the donkey skin seizure, the unit intercepted other contraband items during the review period, including 3,031 bags of foreign parboiled rice valued at N387.97 million and 1,378 kg of Cannabis sativa worth N218 million. Others include 21 smuggled vehicles estimated at N561.33 million, 105 bales of second-hand clothing worth N12.6 million and 118 cartons of frozen poultry products valued at N2.83 million.

Comptroller Oladeji further revealed that six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures. “While some have been granted administrative bail, investigations are ongoing,” he added.

On revenue generation, the unit recovered N60.9 million through demand notices issued on improperly documented imports.

Comptroller Oladeji warned unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals to desist from all smuggling acts and engage in legitimate trade in 2025. “Our ongoing ‘Swift Sting Operation’ will leave no room for economic sabotage in the New Year. As for legitimate importers, traders and Authorised Economic Operators (AEOs), our doors are open for consultation and collaboration as we intend to re-engineer our trade facilitation systems in line with the Federal Government policy on ease of doing business,” he concluded