March 10, (THEWILL) – The Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has destroyed donkey meat valued at N42,534,400.
The NCS in a press statement issued by the Area Public Relations Officer, Nasiru Manga, said the donkey meat was intercepted on Saturday by officers of the Command while on routine patrol, in a trailer with Registration Number ARG 323 XA.
The driver and one other occupant of the vehicle were immediately arrested and brought to the command’s headquarters with the ‘offending item’ for further investigation.
A physical examination of the truck revealed that it was loaded with 1,390 sacks of donkey meat with a Duty Paid Value of N42,534,400. Illegal trade on endangered species such as donkeys is a contravention of Section 63 (b) of CEMA CAP C.45 LFN 2004.
Addressing newsmen at the Customs Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, 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.”
In attendance to witness the destruction of the intercepted donkey meat were the representatives of Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
