The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, has destroyed 1,015 sacks of dried donkey meat and skin in Edo State.
In a statement, the Public Relations Officer, NCS, FOU, Zone C, Mr Jerry Attah, said the items were part of contraband seized between July 15 and September 15 in the zone.
Attah quoted Comptroller Michael Ugbagu, who oversees NCS, FOU, Zone C, as saying the destruction was carried out in the presence of representatives of other regulatory agencies.
He underscored the need for collaborative efforts to protect wildlife.
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Ugbagu said the initiative also aligned with efforts to combat the illegal trade of endangered species.
He said Nigeria as a signatory to the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits the trade in donkeys.
“The National Council on Agricultural and Rural Development in 2017 has also banned the large-scale slaughter of donkeys in the country to prevent their extinction.
“But as you may be aware, donkey parts are highly valued in Asia, particularly in China, where they are used for consumption and medical purposes,” he said.
