The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted a shipment containing 10,603 donkey penises, presumed headed for China, highlighting the scale of illicit wildlife trafficking through the country’s borders, The Cable has reported.

The 40-foot container was seized on June 5 along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway, following an intelligence-led operation. According to a briefing by customs officials, the seizure was executed by the Special Wildlife Office in collaboration with the Customs Intelligence Unit.

Animal parts such as donkey penises are frequently trafficked to meet demand in traditional medicine markets, particularly in China, where they are believed to have medicinal or aphrodisiac properties. As local donkey populations decline, traffickers increasingly source animals from African countries like Nigeria, despite national bans and concerns about biodiversity loss and animal welfare, The Cable writes.

The seized items have been handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further investigation.

Officials cited a series of earlier enforcement actions, including the seizure of six African grey parrots in Kano in December 2024, and another case involving pangolins, monkeys, a baby baboon, and an African grey parrot at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in May 2025.

In a separate operation in Cross River State, customs officers confiscated hundreds of bird heads, including 213 parrots, six eagles, and 128 hornbills. One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.

Wildlife trafficking remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, with organised criminal networks exploiting the country’s transport corridors. Customs authorities reiterated their commitment to tackling the illegal trade through increased enforcement and inter-agency coordination, according to The Cable.