FOU Owerri Impound N3.6 Billion Dry Salted Donkey Skin

BY FUNMI ALUKO

A 40- footer containerised donkey skin billed for illegal export and worth about N3.6 billion has been intercepted by vigilant officers of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) zone C in Owerri .

Classified as dry salted donkey skin, the prohibited item was unraveled by the eagle-eyed officers following a comprehensive examination of the container.

Impeccable sources disclosed that the examination revealed that some were packed in 10 pieces per sack and 9 pieces per sack, totaling 3,022 pieces.

Each dry salted donkey skin, it was gathered, has an average weight of 4.5kg, giving a total weight of 13.599 kilograms.

Investigations further unraveled the global price of dry salted donkey skin stands at $750 (USD) and a unit price of $166.6 per kilogram. The means of conveyance has a price tag of N25 million.

This novel and high profile seizure by the Unit this year is seen by insiders as a product of credible intelligence as well as surveillance by vigilant operatives of the unit under the able leadership of Compt Balogun.

The Dry Donkey skin is a product listed under the export Prohibition list by the Federal government of Nigeria due to its implications on biodiversity, environmental balance and the illegal trade in endangered species.

Barely three months upon assumption of office, Balogun, despite the threatening level of insurgency, has left no one in doubt of his zero tolerance to corruption and doggedness.  He is a no nonsense officer who exhibit’s seriousness to his duties. No wonder, within a short period of time, the seizure profile of the command speaks volumes already.

While appraising the seizure under review, the Unit boss commended the dedication and professionalism of the operatives involved in the seizure. He emphasised that the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, remains fully committed to enforcing government trade policies and combating the smuggling of prohibited and endangered goods.

He further warned individuals and syndicate involved in the illegal trade of wildlife and restricted items to desist, as the Service will continue to intensify surveillance, intelligence gathering, and strategic enforcement operations across all zones.

In the same vein, the Comptroller General of Customs has lauded the efforts of the operatives, reaffirming the Service resolve to uphold national laws, protect endangered species, and ensure Nigeria is not used as a hub for illegal wildlife trade.

According to the unit, the seized container is currently under investigation, and further actions will be taken in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service ACT (2023) and other relevant laws.