Customs impounds donkey bones, meat, Tramadol, Injections, others worth over N3b

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), said it has intercepted some endangered species of donkey bones, meats, over 58,000 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Anelgin injection in the Zone ‘B’Unit, Kaduna of the service.

Ahmadu Shuaibu, new comptroller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, made the revelation while addressing newsmen at the command’s headquarters on Tuesday.
He revealed that Paid Duty Value(PDV) of the two impoundments of donkey bones and meat was about three billion naira, whereas that of illicit drugs was one hundred and sixty-seven million, five hundred thousand naira (N167,500.00) only.
He revealed that the seizures were made along Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State; Kontagora – Tegina Road in Niger State and along Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan axis of Kaduna state.
Four suspects he stated were arrested in connection with the illicit trading with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items –three billion, one hundred and seventy-five nillion, eighty four thousand naira, two hundred and seventeen naira and seventy-five kobo (N 3,175,084,217.75) only.
Shuaibu cautioned that the era of checkpoints are gone that information technology induced intelligence gathering is the in-thing.
The unscrupulous elements he regretted are with no regards for the lives and preservation of such endangered species as donkeys that are nearing extinction.
He said, “On 25 April, 2024, operatives of the Unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted One truck with registration number GGE 526 XL along Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State conveying illicit goods which were brought to Kaduna for further examination.
“Upon careful examination the truck was discovered to be conveying 750 sacks of donkey bones. The DPV for the donkey bones was estimated at Two Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Three Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2, 363,500,000.00) only.
“It would interest you to know that One (1) suspect was arrested in connection with the seizure.
“Again on May 5, 2024 at about 0310hrs, the operatives of the Unit intercepted Two (2) Canter Trucks carrying Dried Donkey Meat along Kontagora – Tegina Road in Niger State. After 100% physical examination the trucks were found to contain 860 sacks of Dried Donkey meat. Three (3) suspects were also arrested in connection with the seizure.

The protection of the health and life of humans, animals, or plants;
“Controlled goods imported or exported in line with relevant International laws, conventions and agreements (1) relevant International laws, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

“Government is concerned that donkeys are part of rare animals that are being driven towards extinction by activities of unscrupulous elements, and Nigeria is signatory to the international convention for the continued prevention of endangering these species.
“Another concern is the seizure of 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Anelgin injection that was arrested by the operatives of the Unit on the 2nd of May 2024 at about 1130hrs along Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan axis of Kaduna state. These illicit drugs were neatly concealed with motor spare parts but our eagle eye was able to catch up with them. The DPV of these illicit drugs is One Hundred and Sixty-Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N167,500.00) only.

Other items intercepted by the Unit within the period under review include the following,
“12 vehicles (means of conveyance) 174 Bags of Foreign Rice (50 kg each), 234 Jerry cans of PMS (25 litres each) 109 bales of second hand clothing, 367 cartons of Spaghetti, 50 cartons of Macaroni, 47 Jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil.
Other items arrested according to the report are:
“6 sacks of used shoes,100 sacks of snuf, 30 bags of foreign sugar (25kg each) 2,255 cartons of herbicide chemical 10 cartons of foreign couscous 235 Bags of Foreign flour (25kg each) and over 100 cartons of general goods.

“The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the seized items is Three Billion, One Hundred and Seventy-Five Million, Eighty Four Thousand Naira, Two Hundred and Seventeen Naira and Seventy-Five Kobo (N 3,175,084,217.75) only.

“Without fear or favour. Those who wish to try our resolve should have a rethink as we shall be unsparing in implementing the laws and policy directives of the Federal Government as directed by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and his management team.

“Anti-smuggling initiative is fast going beyond old traditional physical measures, the NCS has sharpened its skill in intelligence gathering through improved information technology kits. The era of exclusively mounting checkpoint is long gone, as our Enforcement Unit are up to date in the deployment of ICT assisted intelligence gathering and strategies to achieve our mandate.

“ Let me use this medium to update the general public about the suspect arrested for impersonation in Sokoto, the law has taken its course on him. I want to specially appreciate the leadership of the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command of the Service and the Customs Police Unit for their continued efforts in assisting the Unit to take the Service to greater height.”