Metro

Customs Intercepts Dried Shark Fins, Donkey Genitals Worth N1.23bn In Lagos

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2023

The Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted items suspected to be dried shark fins and dried donkey genitals worth N1.22 billion at the Lagos airport.

The command’s Area Controller, Comptroller Muhammed Yusuf, said this in a news conference in Lagos on Thursday.

Yusuf noted that this was through coordinated anti-smuggling activities in synergy with critical stakeholders.

Yusuf while briefing the media on the scorecard of the command from January to July, said one suspect each was apprehended for the seized items and the investigation is ongoing.

He noted that the suspect intercepted for the shark fins was a Nigerian and the item was heading to China while that of donkey genitals was a Chinese heading to Hong Kong.

According to him, the six packages of suspected dried shark fins have a Free on Board (FOB) value of N221.9 million, while the 25 packages of donkey genitals has an FOB value of N1.01 billion, both totalling N1.23 billion.

“These items were seized mainly because of various forms of infractions on export guidelines and failure to comply with CITES Law on endangered species as enshrined in the Nigeria Customs Service Act.

“From the number of fins we have here, the implication is that we have over a thousand sharks that have been endangered. We cannot go on with this illegal trade because at the end of the day, it will be problem for us.

“Animals in the sea have a role they play, endangering them will affect the ecosystem and for us officers at the NCS, we will always make sure that these items under export prohibition list cannot go out,” he said.

The customs boss noted that this was the first time the command intercepted such and it was nabbed at the exit point after all documentation.

He said that the shark fin was declared as such while that of the donkey genitals was declared as animal cow genitals.

Yusuf added that the items would be handed over to a unit in customs for further investigation and eventually they would unravel more information.

On the scorecard from January to July, Yusuf said the command generated N47.25 billion, representing 83.24 per cent of target met.

“When compared to the same period in 2022 of N40.335 billion, a progressive difference of N6.914 billion, representing 17.14 per cent increase,” he said.

Yusuf appreciated officers and men of the command for their dedication to the service and urged them to always adhere strictly to the rules of engagements while discharging their statutory duties.

He also appreciated the acting Controller General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for always giving them the leverage to perform.

“I appreciate our critical stakeholders and sister agencies who are showing concern and are collaborating with the service for their continuous support,” he said.

Metro

Ogun To Prosecute DJ Over Multiple Road Crashes

Published

2 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Following series of traffic accidents that have raised concerns about public safety, the Ogun State Ministry of Justice has announced plans to prosecute TikTok content creator, Ademola Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Chicken.

The action comes after Abiodun allegedly crashed into two motorcycles in Sagamu, Ogun State, on November 1, 2025, critically injuring a rider and a female passenger.

The government in a statement, Monday, on its official X handle, said witnesses reported that Abiodun tried to flee the scene before being stopped by onlookers.

According to the ministry, DJ Chicken was involved in another crash on Sunday in Lekki, Lagos State, narrowly escaping pedestrians, making it the third in three months.

Part of the statement reads, “Mr Abiodun’s heedless return to the wheel with no greater care just three weeks after makes it imperative that the state must intervene to protect the public – especially as there is an organic outcry against his continued driving.

“While it may be reasonable to allow crash victims to get compensation from persons who have driven recklessly and to resolve road traffic collisions as a civil wrong, some road users are special dangers to society and should be held to account under criminal law,” it said.

The statement added that in an effort to guarantee accountability, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, has instructed pertinent officers to move quickly on the pending crash case from Sagamu for a prompt arraignment.

Nonetheless, the ministry reiterated its dedication to working with law enforcement agencies to protect the public from reckless drivers.

Metro

JUST IN: Again, Terrorists Storm Kwara Community, Kidnap Pregnant Woman, 10 Children, Others

Published

4 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Unidentified gunmen have attacked the Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, kidnapping a pregnant woman, 10 children, two nursing mothers, and several others.

It was gathered that an estimated 20 to 30 armed bandits invaded the community, advancing with a large herd of cattle and firing sporadically.

A stray bullet reportedly struck an elderly woman during the assault.

A community leader who confirmed the incident told National Pilot that 11 people were abducted, including seven members of the same family.

The abducted individuals have been identified as: Talatu Kabiru, Magaji, Kande, Hadiza, Mariam, Saima, Habibat (a housewife), Fatima Yusufu (a housewife), Sarah Sunday (pregnant woman), Lami Fidelis (a nursing mother), and Haja Na Allah.

The attackers reportedly escaped through bush paths connecting Eruku to neighbouring communities, leaving residents in panic and confusion.

The attack comes barely two weeks after bandits struck the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), kidnapping 38 members, while others reportedly died during the assault.

If Nnamdi Kanu shows remorse, i will call for his pardoning — Sheikh Gumi
However, all 38 abducted victims from the church incident have reportedly been rescued.

Metro

Panic In Delta Female School Over False Herdsmen Attack

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Fear gripped Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Monday, as students of Otagba-Ogbe Girls Secondary School fled their classrooms following fears of an alleged herdsmen attack.

The panic reportedly began when students sighted two herdsmen entering the school premises from the rear, prompting a stampede as they ran out of their classrooms, triggering widespread alarm across the community.

A community source said the fear was rooted in earlier rumours circulating over the weekend that herdsmen were seen around the school’s surroundings.

“Everyone is on alert. The truth is that there were rumours that some herdsmen were spotted near the school on Saturday,”

The source said. “Today, as they were learning, two herdsmen entered the school compound from the back.
“Whether they were looking for their cattle, I don’t know.

“There had been information that an attack could happen at any moment due to issues between the herdsmen and the host community.”

The situation quickly escalated as parents trooped to the school to retrieve their children, and online platforms amplified claims of an imminent attack and alleged gunshots — none of which were verified.

But in a swift response, the Delta State Police Command dismissed it as false and misleading, saying it is capable of inciting unnecessary chaos.

According to the Command, the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered a coordinated security response.

The Command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe said the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Kwale Division, SP Udofia Kufre, led a patrol team to the school for on-the-ground verification.

“Interviews with the Vice Principal and the security guard on duty confirmed that no attack occurred. Police said the entire disturbance was triggered by misinformation and students’ fear.

“As part of precautionary checks, adjoining schools in the Kwale axis were also visited by security operatives, who found them calm, safe, and fully engaged in normal academic activities.”

“Parents who rushed to the school were urged to remain calm as authorities confirmed that stability had been restored.”