The Nigeria Customs Service has made a significant seizure in Adamawa state, intercepting 200 pieces of raw donkey skins hidden in a vehicle, along with other contraband items valued at N1.9 million.
The smuggling of donkey hide is a serious concern, as Nigeria banned its export in 2018 due to a decline in the donkey population, which threatened the animal with extinction.
Salihu Kazaure, the Customs Area Comptroller, revealed this during a press conference held in Yola on Thursday.
He explained that the smugglers managed to evade arrest by fleeing into the bush, leaving behind their illicit goods in border villages near Cameroon.
During the period from August to September this year, the customs officials also seized 127 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and 12,350 liters of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol.
Kazaure highlighted the challenge faced by the command, which is informants in some communities shielding smugglers.
To address this issue, the command plans to engage traditional rulers and journalists in its sensitization efforts to educate the public on the reasons behind the federal government’s ban on smuggling and the importation of contraband items.
