Nigeria Customs officers hand over seized donkey genitals and pangolin scales to NESREA as part of national anti-wildlife trafficking campaign.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted over 10,000 donkey genitals and more than 6,000 kilograms of pangolin scales, among other endangered animal products, in a series of operations conducted between December 2024 and June 2025.
The Special Wildlife Office (SWO) under the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) spearheaded the operations, which led to the seizure of a 40-foot container filled with illegal wildlife parts along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. The confiscated items were formally handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
Addressing the press on behalf of Comptroller-General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi, the National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller of Customs (ACC) Abdullah Maiwada, described the situation as “alarming,” warning that Nigeria is increasingly being exploited as both a source and transit hub for illegal wildlife trafficking.
“These seizures reflect the growing scale of trafficking in endangered species and the urgent need for collaborative enforcement and intelligence efforts to stop it,” Maiwada stated.
The Head of Special Wildlife Office, Anuhu Samaila-Mani, emphasized the role of local communities in curbing the illegal trade.
“Beyond enforcement, Customs has launched community awareness campaigns in wildlife trafficking hotspots to encourage protection of endangered species and reporting of illegal activities,” Mani said.
The Customs Service reiterated its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s biodiversity, enforcing environmental protection laws, and ensuring the country does not become a safe haven for traffickers.
Wildlife experts have praised the NCS for its intensified crackdown and called for strengthened cross-border cooperation to dismantle transnational smuggling networks fueling the illicit trade.
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