The Horse and Donkey Sellers Association of Nigeria has made an appeal to the Federal Government, urging them to investigate the repeated seizures of donkey meat by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Kebbi state.

Alhaji Abubakar Zoramawa, the Chairman of the Sokoto State Chapter of the association, made this plea during an interview conducted in Birnin Kebbi.

The appeal comes in response to the ongoing issue of truckloads of dried donkey meat being confiscated by customs operatives on highways in Kebbi. The most recent incident occurred on May 19, when a truck carrying dried meat worth N200 million, destined for the Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra, was impounded. These seizures have caused significant financial hardship for numerous individuals involved in the donkey meat business across the country.

As a result, there has been a growing outcry from various stakeholders in the industry, expressing their concerns over the detrimental effects of the activities of the Kebbi State Command of the NCS on the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. Zoramawa emphasized that it is unjustifiable to continue destroying the means of livelihood for hardworking Nigerians who are actively contributing to the progress and development of the nation.

“When you destroy our legitimate means of livelihood, you are indirectly pushing people to resort to illegalities, including banditry and joining Boko Haram and other groups.

“Thousands of our people, especially youths, are engaged in one way or the other in the value chain of this business, so ruining our business is ruining thousands of homes.

Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Customs

“Persistent seizures of donkey meat is also a violation of the rights of the traders to engage in lawful business because no section of Nigerian laws says that people should not trade in donkey meat.’’ he stated.

Zoramawa stated that the Kebbi State Command of the NCS has assumed the role of both prosecutor and judge in their relentless pursuit of destroying truckloads of dried donkey meat en route to various markets, particularly in Eastern Nigeria. 

“The command should tell the public the aspect of the law that prohibits donkey business so that Nigerians will know better. Taking delight in destroying livelihoods should not be tolerated or allowed in our country.

“Remember, that those who consume donkey meat are Nigerians and those that deal in the business are Nigerians as well, and more so, the business is being carried out in Nigeria not across the border.

“The kind of pressure being absorbed by those in the business may force some of them to resort to joining bad groups. Government should discourage illegalities by the NCS in Kebbi.

“This is because if a person engages in a lawful business but some authorities prevent him or her, that person may possibly join a bad group.”

Customs Command in Kebbi: Unique Donkey Meat Seizures

According to Zoramawa, the customs command in Kebbi stands out as the only command in the entire country that consistently seizes shipments of donkey meat. This raises questions about whether this command operates under different laws compared to other customs commands in Nigeria.

Impact on Nigerian Businessmen

A transporter based in Kebbi, Alhaji Shehu Mai-Jakkai, expressed his concern over the repeated seizures of donkey meat by customs. He described these actions as an attack on hardworking Nigerian businessmen who are striving to earn a living. While Mai-Jakkai himself may not be directly involved in the donkey business, he provides transportation services for those in the trade, enabling them to transport their goods.

Personal Experience of Seizure

Mai-Jakkai shared his personal experience of having one of his vehicles confiscated by customs officers in Kebbi for transporting dried donkey meat. He explained that he was forced to travel to Abuja to resolve the situation and pay a significant fine in order to retrieve his truck. This incident highlights the financial burden imposed on individuals involved in the donkey meat business due to the actions of customs in Kebbi.

“You cannot deprive a person his right to eat what his religion and culture did not forbid.

“Remember, the people eating donkey meat are also Nigerians, and they have the right to eat what they want, provided it is not against the laws of the nation.

“Donkey business has been in existence for more than half a century. What informed the current clampdown by the customs command in Kebbi State in particular?”

However, speaking on the recurring seizures of dried donkey meat, the Kebbi Area Comptroller of the NCS, Dr Ben Oramalugo, told NAN that the business was illegal “because the seized meat and skin were prepared and concealed for export’’.

He said that the NCS was empowered to detain or seize any item, citing what he described as Section 167 of CEMA C45 FLN 2004, which deals with: “if goods are smuggled into the country or imported without payment of duty.

Smugglers smuggle dried donkey meat

“The smugglers were about to smuggle dried donkey meat through unapproved routes; if the exporters were doing the right thing, why didn’t they follow the approved route and observe ‘Customs Export Procedure’ since our borders are opened for export.”

Regarding the fate of the seized meat, the comptroller stated that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has the authority to promptly auction any perishable or inflammable item. 

“The law empowers us to destroy it in the presence of relevant sister agencies or to hand it over to relevant sister agencies for necessary action.

“In this case, it was arranged to be handed over to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service because donkey meat is listed as Code 0204500000 under the list of HS Code, controlled by NAQS Code,” he said.

When questioned about why his command was not confiscating cow meat despite the ongoing depletion of the cow population due to continuous killings, Oramalugo explained that there are currently no regulations in place that prohibit the slaughter of cows. 

“Let me reiterate that although some people ask why the seizure of donkey meat when the National Assembly is already handling the matter on trading in donkeys, there is no implied law or express provision from the National Assembly that stops Nigeria Customs officers from carrying out their legitimate duties.’’

Data reveals that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Command in Kebbi has consistently destroyed numerous truckloads of dried donkey meat with an estimated value exceeding N400 million since March of the previous year.

This persistent pattern of seizure and destruction has raised concerns among observers who question the rationale behind the command’s actions, as they seem to be jeopardizing the livelihoods of countless Nigerian businessmen.