Published 9th Sep, 2022

By Adebola Adewara

Officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) attached to the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport have seized 7,000 donkey penises that were about to be exported to Hong Kong, China.

This was revealed by Sambo Dangaladima, the NCS area commander, while showcasing the sacks containing the seized genitals.

According to Dangaladima, the 16 sacks of donkey penises seized were worth N217 million.

“The importers falsely declared these illegal wildlife parts as cow male genitals, but after due examination, my export officers discovered they were donkey male genitals,” said Dangaladima.

“It’s the first time we are seizing this type of item. We will not allow such illegal wildlife trade thrive under our watch.”

“A total of 16 sacks of the genitals were seized. An investigation has been launched to find out more information about the seized items.”

The male genitals were subsequently handed over to Adebimpe Adetunji, the Deputy Superintendent of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service.

Donkey skins, not penises, are known to be frequently exported or smuggled out of the country. In July, the Nigerian customs seized $116,000 worth of donkey skins being smuggled into the country from neighbouring Niger, even though donkey skin exportation from Nigeria is illegal.

In 2021, Nigerian senators proposed to ban the killing of donkeys and the export of their skins.

The lawmakers said a ban on the killing of donkeys would further curb the export of donkey skins and genitals to countries like China, where their skins are used in popular traditional medicines.

According to Alhaji Datti Mohammed, one of the federal lawmakers in support of the ban, “The major beneficiary in this trade is the donkey skin merchants in China”.

“This animal is facing extinction in Nigeria and it is an animal you cannot breed in large numbers because of the very low rate of fertility.”

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