Officers and men of Kebbi Area Command, while on routine patrol, recently intercepted a trailer with Registration Number ARG 323 XA loaded with donkey meat.
A statement from the Command said the driver and one other occupant of the vehicle were immediately arrested and taken to the Command’s Headquarters with the offending item for further investigation.
According to the statement, physical examination of the truck revealed that it was loaded with 1,390 sacks of donkey meat with a Duty Paid Value of 42,534,400 naira.
In Nigeria, Donkey is categorised as endengered as it is on the endangered specie land as such trade in Donkey is considered Illegal and a contravention of Section 63 (b) of CEMA CAP C.45 LFN 2004.
While addressing journalists on the matter at the Customs Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joseph Attah said Nigeria is a signatory to International Convention on Wildlife fauna and flora and Nigeria Customs Service has responsibility to enforce the law and help protect such animals.
“As a responsible member of the international community, we cannot allow our nation to be used as a conduit pipe for illegal trade on wild life. Poaching donkeys is illegal and we urge all those in this illegality to stop it as it we are determined to make it unprofitable including the possibility of sending them to jail.
“With improved logistic and robust support of the CGC and members of his management team, Kebbi Area Command remains committed to fighting all forms of smuggling and other illicit trade such as this,” he said.T
he over 42 million naira worth of donkey meat was destroyed with the representatives of Police, DSS and NESREA in attendance.
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