The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a container loaded with over 10,000 donkey genitals along the Kaduna–Abuja Highway, marking one of the most alarming cases of wildlife trafficking in recent years.

This was disclosed on Thursday, July 10, 2025, by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, through the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, during a press briefing held at the government warehouse in Karu, Abuja.

According to Maiwada, the interception is a significant win under the Service’s anti-wildlife trafficking mandate, carried out through its Special Wildlife Office (SWO), housed within the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU).

“The seizure aligns with our broader wildlife enforcement efforts,” he stated. “The SWO is mandated to gather intelligence, conduct profiling, initiate investigations, and coordinate enforcement activities targeting transnational criminal networks dealing in endangered species.”

Surveillance and Intelligence Led to Interception

The Customs boss revealed that the interception occurred on June 5, 2025, at approximately 21:00 hours, following credible intelligence and a coordinated surveillance operation by the SWO and CIU.

“Our officers acted swiftly to intercept the container, confirming the persistence of illegal wildlife trafficking networks exploiting Nigeria’s corridors,” Adeniyi said.

He added that, in line with due process, the confiscated wildlife parts will be handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), as part of NCS’ inter-agency collaboration for environmental protection.

Series of Wildlife Seizures Across Nigeria

The Comptroller-General further outlined previous successes recorded by the SWO, pointing to numerous seizures made across the country over the past year:

December 2024: Six African Grey Parrots seized in Kano.

May 2025: Two live pangolins, five Mona monkeys, two Tantalus monkeys, one baby baboon, and one African Grey Parrot confiscated at Lagos Airport.

Cross River State: A suspect arrested in Ikom with 213 parrot heads, six eagle heads, and 128 hornbill heads.

January 13, 2025: Tortoises rescued and handed over to the National Park Service in Oyo State.

Calabar: 119.4kg of pangolin scales intercepted.

Adamawa State: 120 African Grey Parrots rescued and one suspect arrested in Fufore.

“These figures underscore the scale and sophistication of illegal wildlife trade. It is not just an ecological issue but one tied to organised crimes, including money laundering, arms smuggling, and illicit currency flows,” CGC Adeniyi warned.

Investment in Surveillance and Enforcement

The NCS stated it is scaling up efforts in species identification, cross-border enforcement, and digital forensics. According to Adeniyi, the Wildlife Office now deploys phone analysis and other digital tools to track suspects, building stronger evidence bases for prosecutions already underway.

“Our investigations, including digital forensics and phone analysis of suspects, have strengthened our evidence base, with several prosecutions currently underway,” he said.

Acknowledging Strategic Partnerships

Also speaking at the press conference, the Head of the Customs Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller Anuhu Mani, praised the collaborative support of organisations such as Focused Conservation, Wildlife Conservation Society, Wild Power Trust, Green Fingers, and Padrilas, alongside neighbouring enforcement agencies.

Nigeria Customs Hosts Bingham University Students for PR Masterclass

In a separate development showcasing its commitment to youth engagement and public enlightenment, the Nigeria Customs Service welcomed 400-level students of Mass Communication from Bingham University, Abuja, to its headquarters in Maitama.

The academic excursion, held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, and led by senior lecturer and communication strategist Sebastian Abu, aimed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and field practice in public relations, particularly in security institutions.

During the interactive session, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada highlighted the importance of strategic communication in national security, crisis response, and stakeholder trust.

“Public relations within the Nigeria Customs Service goes far beyond what many perceive. Our duties include managing crisis communication, engaging stakeholders, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring that information flow supports national objectives,” he explained.

He urged the students to embrace humility, curiosity, and adaptability as they prepare to enter the professional world.

“Communication is a dynamic field that evolves with technology and global realities,” Maiwada noted.

Sebastian Abu commended the Customs PR Unit for its openness and professionalism.

“This is not just a field trip. It is a deliberate effort to expose our students to real-world challenges and how they are managed by professionals,” Abu said. “The Nigeria Customs Service has set a model of communication practice that should be emulated across government institutions.”

The students toured the Public Relations Unit, observed in-house media production, and interacted with officers using digital tools to manage the Service’s public image.

Conclusion

With the seizure of over 10,000 donkey genitals and ongoing student engagement efforts, the Nigeria Customs Service has reaffirmed its dual commitment to wildlife conservation and capacity building. The Service continues to adapt to global trends in enforcement and communication while working closely with national and international partners.

In a significant show of cultural diplomacy, Nigeria has engaged in two high-level diplomatic meetings with the Russian Federation and the European Union, aimed at deepening cooperation in arts, culture, tourism, and the creative economy. The strategic engagements reinforce President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and position Nigeria as a global leader in culture-driven development.

The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., hosted Ambassador A.L. Podelyshev of Russia and Ambassador Gautier Mignot of the EU in separate but equally impactful sessions held at the Ministry headquarters in Abuja.

Nigeria and Russia: Building Cultural Bridges Through Youth and Creativity

Ambassador A.L. Podelyshev of the Russian Federation met with Minister Musawa and top officials — including Mr. Faiz Imam, Chief Principal Adviser to the Minister, and Mr. Obi Asika, Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture — to identify priority sectors for bilateral cooperation.

“This engagement reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging culture and creativity as instruments of diplomacy, youth engagement, and national development,” the Minister said.

She emphasised that with over 70 percent of Nigeria’s population under 18, art and culture must serve as platforms for identity, inclusion, and youth empowerment. The meeting outlined collaboration opportunities in film co-productions, cultural festivals, fashion exchanges, and performing arts, from traditional dance to music and theatre.

Strategic Takeaways:

Russia currently provides 220 fully-funded scholarships to Nigerian students annually, with discussions underway to expand educational exchange.

A longstanding draft cultural Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between both nations will be reintroduced through diplomatic channels.

Nigeria was officially invited to participate in the Kazan Cultural Fair 2025 in Tatarstan — a platform to showcase its creative industries on a global stage.

Russian institutions proposed cutting-edge digital heritage preservation for Nigeria, including 3D scanning, virtual reality and archaeological tech.

Mr. Obi Asika praised the synergy between Russia’s renowned dance and fashion cultures and Nigeria’s thriving creative industry:

“We are excited about building real partnerships with Russia that celebrate the richness of both our nations.”

Nigeria and the EU: Expanding Cultural Frontiers for Economic Transformation

Just a day earlier, Minister Musawa hosted Ambassador Gautier Mignot and the European Union delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS. The engagement marked the EU Head of Delegation’s first official visit to the Ministry and opened new pathways for strategic collaboration.

Honourable Minister Musawa said:

“Culture is our soul, but it is also our strength. With partners like the European Union, we are transforming our creative identity into an engine of economic prosperity, national unity, and global leadership.”

The EU delegation applauded Nigeria’s global influence in film, music, and fashion and unveiled several key interventions:

A €20 million programme for museum partnerships.

Investment in film festivals, youth training, and digital creative hubs.

Grassroots cultural development via Goethe-Institut and Institut Français.

Mr. Faiz Imam introduced THE CREATIVE ECONOMY handbook, which outlines Nigeria’s vision of contributing $100 billion to a projected $1 trillion economy by 2030 and creating 2 million jobs through the cultural and creative sectors.

Turning Strategy into Action

Both Russia and the EU committed to long-term engagement frameworks aligned with Nigeria’s national policies and global aspirations. Among the agreed next steps:

Re-engagement with UNESCO on stalled cultural projects.

Coordinated cultural policy alignment for museums and festivals.

Organising a Creative Economy Summit to attract investment and harmonise creative voices.

Advancing plans for a national Unity Song featuring major Nigerian artists to promote cohesion.

Special Adviser to the President on Art & Culture, Ms. Moriam Ajaga, stressed:

“Our goal is to build sustainable structures — not just short-term projects — that support grassroots communities and reposition Nigeria globally.”

A New Era of Global Cultural Partnerships

Minister Musawa concluded both sessions by reiterating Nigeria’s role as a continental cultural powerhouse:

“When Nigeria works, Africa works. And when Africa works, the world follows.”

The back-to-back diplomatic engagements underscore a fresh era of international cultural cooperation, as Nigeria advances its identity as a hub of creative innovation, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion.

Lagos residents will head to the polls on Saturday, July 12, 2025, as the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) officially confirms the setup of 13,325 polling units across the state for the much-anticipated Local Government Council Elections.

The polls, which span across 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), are seen as pivotal ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Voting Guidelines and Security Measures

According to LASIEC, voting will commence at 8:00 a.m. and end by 3:00 p.m., with security agencies enforcing a restriction of movement between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. across the state.

In a statement issued by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, the earlier restriction timeline of 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. was adjusted for flexibility.

“The adjustment is intended to facilitate residents’ mobility in the event of a medical emergency, appointments, or overseas vacation arrangements,” Hundeyin said on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

At least four security officers will be stationed at each polling unit to maintain order, and special provisions have been made for pregnant women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, LASIEC confirmed.

Campaign Season Closes, Ballots Await

Campaigns officially concluded on Wednesday, July 9, marking the end of months-long party primaries and consultations. LASIEC has already published the final list of chairmanship and councillorship candidates on July 5, while notice-of-poll posters were distributed across ward collation centres from July 4.

Out of all registered voters, 6.2 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected, while 8,450 PVCs remain unclaimed. Despite missing documentation by some aspirants, LASIEC insists the process was conducted with full transparency and in line with electoral laws.

“We have engaged with all relevant stakeholders, including the media, people living with disabilities, and political parties, to ensure inclusiveness and openness,” LASIEC stated.

LASIEC Urges Peace, Warns Against Vote-Buying

In a strong appeal for peace, LASIEC Chairman, Justice Bola Okikiolu‑Ighile, called on voters to conduct themselves responsibly and warned against electoral malpractice.

“We urge all registered voters to avoid vote-buying and violence. Voting must take place only at designated polling units where individuals are registered,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force has reiterated its preparedness to ensure peaceful elections and is calling on the public to cooperate with electoral officers and law enforcement agents throughout the process.