The Murtala Muhammed Airport command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ikeja has intercepted male donkey genitals and dried shark fins worth a staggering N1.23 billion at the Lagos Airport.
The donkey genitals and dried shark fins were on the brink of being exported to China and Hong Kong, respectively.
The male donkey genitals were sourced from Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, by a Chinese individual.
Customs Area Controllers, MMA, Compt Muhammed Yusuf told newsmen on Thursday that the command has generated a substantial revenue of N47.24 billion between January and July 2023.
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According to Yusuf, the above signified an impressive 83.24% increase compared to the N40.35 billion generated in the first half of 2022.
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He said,
“The Command made remarkable successes through coordinated anti-smuggling activities in synergy with other critical stakeholders which led to the seizure of six packages of suspected Dried Shark Fins with FOB Value of N221.8million and also 25 packages of suspected Dried Donkey Genitals with FOB value of N1.01billion making a total of N1.23billion.
“We have over 1000 fishes whose fins have been harvested here and if this is allowed to go, high numbers of donkeys will be endangered and we will have asked them to desist from this act. Animals in the sea have roles they play and endangering them will mean a lot to the ecosystem for us in NCS we make sure we do our jobs and things like this under export prohibition are not allowed to go.
“The culprits have been apprehended and investigation is ongoing to know where this thing came from I know that in Nigerian waters, we don’t have enough sharks that are up to this. This is supposed to be exported out of the country and nabbed at the point of documentation. 1700 pieces of sharks are endangered and they are going to Hong Kong, this is the first time we are seizing this in the command.
“Donkeys are under endangered species and they came from Abakaliki and we begin to wonder why they came from there. We have a lot of donkeys in Abakaliki and now that they are endangered species, these things continuously go out. You can imagine the roles they play in the ecosystem. As it is, the Chinese man has been arrested and investigation is ongoing.”
Yusuf further spoke about the half-year report.
He said:
“From the period of January – July 2023, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command generated a total of N47.24 billion which represents 83.24% of the target met. When compared to the same period in 2022 of N40.35 billion, there is a progressive difference of N6.9 billion representing a 17.14% increase.
“The suspects in connection with this illegally intended Export have been arrested and the investigation is ongoing. These items were seized mainly because of various forms of infractions on Export guidelines and failure to comply with CITES Law on endangered species as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
“Let me use this opportunity to appreciate my Officers and Men for their dedication to the Service. I urge them to always adhere strictly to the rules of engagements while discharging their statutory duties.”
