Seizure of N15bn Donkey skin: Customs FOU trails suspects

Seizure of N15bn Donkey skin: Customs FOU trails suspects

By Udeme Clement

 The Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’, of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, is currently carrying out an investigation into the seizure of Donkey skin loaded in two containers, in order to unravel the syndicate behind the crime.

Financial Business gathered that investigation by the Unit is already on-going to track the suspects involved in the seized Donkey skin trade, which according to the law is under prohibition.

Financial Business also learnt that FOU Zone ‘A’ operatives through intelligence seized the animal skin fully loaded in two containers and estimated at the monetary value of N15billion.

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of the Unit, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed explained that the two containers of animal skin were destined for export.

According to him, the Donkey skin was already being dried when his officers intercepted it.

His words, “As you can see here, we have seized the animal skin in two containers. This is quite massive.

“You can only imagine how many Donkeys have been killed to have this large quantity of the animal skin in two containers”.

He added, “It is possible that they sold out the meat to people as beef, because we didn’t see the meat.

“We will continue to carry out our duties effectively. As Customs officers, we are going beyond revenue collection to protection of innocent lives in the country”.

Comptroller Mohammed pointed out, ”This seizure is part of our efforts to prevent the mass killing of Donkeys and to discourage people from seeing it as a lucrative business.”