The Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has handed over 94 sacks of seized donkey skin to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.

In a statement on Friday, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Nasiru Manga, said each of the sacks contained 30 pieces of the animal skin making a total of 2,820 pieces of donkey skin with a duty paid value of N48,130m.

He said that the command seized the contraband around Bahindi- Dogon Rimi waterside in the Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.

The statement read in part, “On Thursday, June 2, 2022, at about 0400hrs, based on credible intelligence about smuggling activities around Bahindi – Dogon Rimi Waterside in the Bagudo Local Government Area, the command’s rapid response team quickly rushed to the area. Upon approaching the described location, the patrol team sighted a huge covered mound of loads near the river bank. They discovered that the covered mound was sacks of donkey skins carefully arranged, awaiting a boat for onward smuggling out of the country. The items were evacuated from the location and brought to our headquarters in Birnin Kebbi. Physical examination revealed 94 jumbo sacks, 30 pieces making a total of  2820 donkey skins. The item is valued at N48, 130,642.00”

According to him, donkey skins fall under Schedule 6 of Common External Tariff (2022-2026) exportation of which is prohibited.

He said the intent to smuggle it out of the country, therefore. contravenes Section 63(b) of CEMA CAP C. 45, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).

He added, “This level of poaching resulting in the slaughtering of 2,820 donkeys is not acceptable. If this is allowed to continue, donkeys will go into extinction.  Nigeria is a signatory to a Multilateral Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species Flora and Fauna which makes trade on donkey skins illegal”