Nigeria Customs Service FOU Zone 'B' Intercepts Endangered Species, Seizes Illicit Drugs, and Arrests Four Suspects**

Nigeria Customs Service FOU Zone 'B' Intercepts Endangered Species, Seizes Illicit Drugs, and Arrests Four Suspects

Kaduna, Nigeria - May 21, 2024:

The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), under the leadership of Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, has announced a significant crackdown on illegal activities from April 17 to May 17, 2024. This period saw the interception of endangered species products, illicit drugs, and the arrest of four suspects.

In a media briefing, Comptroller Shuaibu highlighted the distressing seizure of donkey products, a species nearing extinction. On April 25, 2024, operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a truck with registration number GGE 526 XL along the Sokoto/Gusau Road in Zamfara State. The truck was found carrying 750 sacks of donkey bones, valued at approximately 2.36 billion Naira. One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure.

On May 5, 2024, two Canter trucks carrying 860 sacks of dried donkey meat were intercepted on the Kontagora-Tegina Road in Niger State. This operation led to the arrest of three suspects. The combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these illegal consignments is estimated at three billion Naira.

These actions are in strict compliance with Section 55 (1) paragraph c and i (1) of the NCS Act 2023, which prohibits the trade of endangered species in line with international conventions such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Additionally, on May 2, 2024, operatives seized 58,740 sachets of tramadol and 48,000 ampules of Anelgin injection concealed with motor spare parts along the Saminaka/Nimbiya/Kafanchan axis of Kaduna State. The DPV of these illicit drugs is valued at 167.5 million Naira.

Other intercepted items during this period include:

- 12 vehicles

- 174 bags of foreign rice (50 kg each)

- 234 jerry cans of PMS (25 liters each)

- 109 bales of second-hand clothing

- 367 cartons of spaghetti

- 50 cartons of macaroni

- 47 jerry cans of foreign vegetable oil

- 6 sacks of used shoes

- 100 sacks of snuff

- 30 bags of foreign sugar (25 kg each)

- 2,255 cartons of herbicide chemical

- 10 cartons of foreign couscous

- 235 bags of foreign flour (25 kg each)

- Over 100 cartons of general goods

The total DPV of the seized items amounts to approximately 3.175 billion Naira.

Comptroller Shuaibu commended the dedication and professionalism of his officers and reaffirmed their commitment to combating smuggling through enhanced intelligence and the use of information technology. He also provided an update on a suspect arrested for impersonation in Sokoto, who is now facing legal consequences.

The NCS continues to urge the public to support its efforts in curbing illegal trade and protecting endangered species.