The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday revealed that its officers intercepted a 1x40ft Container loaded with 4,410 Dry Donkey Skin with a street value of N4,235,790,464.64 scheduled for export purpose in Lagos.
Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the Controler of the Unit, Comptroller Kola Oladeji said that all efforts by the owners to lure his officers to compromise their stance on the seized Donkey Skin were rebuffed.
He said, “It is with delight that I welcome you to FOU Zone ‘A’ for the inaugural media briefing of the year on our activities between 25th Dec 2024 – 4th Feb 2025 in the areas of anti-smuggling revenue generation and facilitation of trade.
“Our intelligence network has been of immense contribution to our success as well as the collaborative contributions of relevant security agencies which has recorded remarkable success in our anti-smuggling campaign.
“During the period under review, our men exhibited strict professional conduct and relentless effort in enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 as it relates to Import, Export, Revenue, Security of lives and properties across the Borders of the South Western States.
“It is worthy of note to mention items arrested for investigation between 25th Dec – 4th Feb 2025 as follows: 3,031 foreing parboiled rice with DPV of N387,968,000; 2,725 parcels of Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,378KG with DPV of N218,000,000; 397 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit worth N1,588,000; 118 cartons of frozen poultry products worth N2,832,000; 105 bales of second hand clothing worth N12,600,000; 21 vehicles with DPV N561,333,264; and 4,410 Dry Donkey Skin with street value of N4,235,790,464.64.
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“All the seized items value is totaled N5,420,111,728.
“A very peculiar arrest is the 1x40ft Container loaded with 4,410 of Dry Donkey Skin with a Street Value of Four Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty Five Million, Seven Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty Four Naira, Sixty Four Kobo N4,235,790,464.64
“I want to commend the Officer in charge of the Export Team for exhibiting a high level of diligence and integrity by rejecting every attempt made by faceless individuals to compromise the process.
“It is no gain saying that the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits Trade in vulnerable species.
“With the slaughtering of over Four Thousand Donkeys and 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.
“The arrested Cannabis Sativa weighing 1,378kg will be handed over to the relevant Government Agency for further investigation.
“Also in 2016, as part of the Federal Government fiscal policy, Foreign parboiled rice was prohibited from being Imported through Land Border but permitted to be imported only through the Seaport with payment of requisite revenue.
“However, for selfish gains, some unpatriotic individuals have continue to defy this restrictions which negatively impact National Economy and distort National Trade Data.
“It is also imperative to inform the public that Foreign frozen poultry products are prohibited from Import by Trade under the ECOWAS Common External Tarrif particularly schedule III of the CET.
“Six Defendants were arrested in connection with various prohibited goods and Cannabis Sativa. Some of them have been granted administrative bail while investigation is on-going on these cases.
“Through regular Documentation check and profiling of suspected irregular Import document the sum of ₦60,901,598.32 has been collected as Revenue through Issuance of Demand Notices.
“Our resolve and commitment to tame smuggling and illegal Cross border movement of goods in 2025 has informed the adoption of measures and strategies which include the following:
“Improvement on existing robust relationship with leaders of Border Communities and Traditional rulers.
“Creation of awareness and Education of the public on dangers of smuggling to the Economy.
Strict Enforcement of the provisions of the NCS Act 2023 and prosecution of offenders to show deterrence.
“I therefore use this opportunity to advice and also warn unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals to have a change of heart by engaging in legitimate Trades in 2025 as our on-going “Swift Sting Operation” will not spare all acts of Economic Sabotage in the New Year.
“As for legitimate Importers, Traders and Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), 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.
“We thank our able Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR dsm fnipr psc (+), and his Management for their unending and unflinching support without which we would not have this feat.”
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