Nigeria Customs Service Foils Major Wildlife Trafficking Operation On Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has achieved a significant victory in the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking, intercepting a 40-foot container carrying 10,603 donkey genitals and 213 parrot heads along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. The seizure, which took place on 5 June 2025 at approximately 9:00 p.m., was announced by Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi during a press briefing in Abuja on 10 July, highlighting the agency’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity.
The intercepted consignment, suspected to be destined for illegal export, was uncovered through coordinated surveillance by the NCS’s Special Wildlife Office (SWO) and Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), acting on credible intelligence. Alongside the donkey genitals and parrot heads, the container concealed a range of other illicit wildlife products, including 6,087.9kg of pangolin scales, 3,022 donkey skins, 4.15kg of worked ivory, 16 zebra skins, 37 taxidermy specimens, and several live animals, including 157 African grey parrots, four Senegal parrots, six monkeys, and four pangolins. The seized items were formally handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) at the NCS Government Warehouse in Karu, Abuja, on 10 July, in line with inter-agency collaboration protocols.
Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, the NCS National Public Relations Officer, described the operation as part of a broader crackdown on transnational criminal networks exploiting Nigeria’s transport corridors. “This seizure is not an isolated incident,” Maiwada stated, noting that the SWO has disrupted multiple trafficking operations over the past year, including the rescue of 120 African grey parrots in Adamawa State and the seizure of 119.4kg of pangolin scales in Calabar. He emphasised the growing link between wildlife trafficking and organised crime, including money laundering and arms smuggling, underscoring the ecological and national security threats posed by such activities.
The NCS’s efforts, led by the SWO under Assistant Comptroller Anuhu Mani, have resulted in significant achievements between December 2024 and June 2025. Over 220 live endangered animals have been rescued, ten suspects apprehended, and one conviction secured, with nine cases still pending in court. Mani highlighted the agency’s collaboration with partners like the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Nigeria Police, which has bolstered enforcement through advanced surveillance and species identification training. The NCS’s adherence to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been pivotal in these operations.
The Kaduna–Abuja seizure has drawn praise for the NCS’s vigilance, with public sentiment on social media platforms reflecting support for stronger action against wildlife trafficking. Posts on X have described the interception as a “major blow” to illegal trade networks, with calls for harsher penalties for traffickers. The NCS urged border communities and logistics hubs to report suspicious activities, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s rich biodiversity.
As investigations continue to dismantle the trafficking syndicate behind this consignment, the NCS’s proactive stance signals a robust response to the global wildlife trade, protecting endangered species and reinforcing Nigeria’s role in international conservation efforts.
