A rage against killing of donkeys in Africa :  Compt Ugbagu rattles economic saboteurs on hinterland

A rage against killing of donkeys in Africa :  Compt Ugbagu rattles economic saboteurs on hinterland
… Burns donkey meats
…As Customs FOU Zone ‘C’ makes N510.9m seizures, recovers N25.6m

Unleashing anti-smuggling onslaught :

By now, economic saboteurs engaging in illicit trade within the hinterland must be counting their losses, as Comptroller Michael Ugbagu and his gallant officers unleashed anti-smuggling onslaught against them, making massive seizures of contraband worth over N510.9 million in monetary value.

The mind-boggling seizures, which included consignments of donkey meats and skin were made within a short period from July 15, to September15, 2024.

Michael Ugbagu battle-ready for illicit traders :
Compt Ugbagu, who is the Customs Area Controller in charge of Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘C’, Owerri, displayed dogged determination in the war against smuggling, as he trailed economic saboteurs to the extent of seizing the donkey meats and skin.

While addressing Journalists during a press conference, he showcased the seized items in Government warehouse at Aduwawa in Benin, Edo State.

He revealed, “based on our intervention, we recovered the sum of N25,573,125.00 (approximately N25.6million) from demand notices raised on some infractions, making a cumulative sum of N536.5million within the period under review.

“The duty paid value above, was derived from seized goods which include: 49,699 sachets of tramadol, 3,350 bottles of cough syrup with codeine without NAFDAC number, 1,015 sacks of donkey meats and skin, 75 jumbo bales of second-hand clothes, 463 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 269 used pneumatic tyres , and 56 cartons of smuggled foreign tomato paste. The items above were mostly intercepted along Ewu-Okada/Benin expressway, based on credible intelligence

“More worrisome is the interception of 49,699 sachets of tramadol, 3,350 bottles of various cough syrups with codeine without NAFDAC registration numbers, because of the adverse effect on our youths”.

Most remarkable, Compt Ugbagu seized 1,015 sacks of donkey meats and skin, showing unwavering commitment to thwart the nefarious activities of illicit traders killing donkeys deliberately.

He pointed out : “As you may recall, effort towards combating illicit trade on endangered species is to ensure that such animals don’t go into extinction. Hence, Nigeria, a signatory to Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), categorises it under absolute prohibition, making its trade either importation or exportation illegal globally.

“Back home in Nigeria, in 2017, there was a policy statement by National Council on Agricultural and Rural Development prohibiting massive slaughter of donkeys in Nigeria, so as to curtail its extinction. But as you may be aware, donkey meats and its part thereof are sellable commodities in Asia, especially in China, due to its value in all ramifications, even for human consumption and part of medical components.

“Therefore, no part of donkey is a waste commodity. This was supported by Animal Disease Control Act 2022, which further empowers Nigeria Agricultural and Quarantine Service to monitor, track and regulate both importation and exportation of animals and animals’ product.

“Intelligence made available to us was that when the heat was hard on illicit traders transporting the donkey meats in container, they devised another strategy by using luxurious buses to carry the meats at night to their destination.”

Gallantry in the service of his fatherland :
In a warrior-like manner, Compt Ugbagu acted decisively. As permitted by law, he completely destroyed the donkey meats in the presence of other regulatory agencies, leaving no stone unturned.

Ugbagu emphasised; “We cannot afford to lose our donkeys on the altar of illicit exports, especially considering their economic importance for agriculture and other purposes.

“No matter what the intentions of the smugglers and their collaborators are, we will not relent in our resolve to protect wildlife and ensure that our economic future as a country is protected “.

The Area Controller thanked CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and the entire Management Team of Nigeria Customs Service for their efforts so far in providing needed incentives and necessary logistics that aided their performance.

Economic implications of killing donkeys in Africa :
The economic implications of killing donkeys are enormous. In Africa, donkeys are used for commercial and agricultural purposes. Sometimes, these animals are even used as means of transportation. Research has shown that donkeys as animals are exceptionally strong. They can carry heavy loads and travel several kilometres.

For instance, in Africa, especially in remote communities, donkeys are used by farmers to convey farm products to commercial centres.

Donkeys have the capacity to carry heavy loads and move freely through the bush paths, even places that cannot be accessible by modern trucks, donkeys can pass through such areas, bush paths unhindered.
Unlike modern trucks, which require petrol for their engines, donkeys only feed on grass. So, they don’t need expensive petroleum product to function.

As such, killing donkeys in developing countries is detrimental to such economies. Africa must rise up and protect these animals, instead of collaborating with foreign partners to trade with its future, only to be permanently dependent on food importation for its population.