Customs shut aviation handling firms over illegal export of donkey skin

*Over $3b illegal animal trade in Africa

The Federal Government has shut down the warehouses of two reputable aviation handling companies, the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) and Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) for allegedly housing illegal items meant for export.

The Federal Units Operations of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had late on Monday shut down Lagos export unit of both handling companies following a tip off about some donkey skin some Chinese were on the verge of exporting rough Emirates Airline.

This is coming few months after NCS arrested two Chinese nationals for attempting to smuggle 678 pieces of elephant tusks and other prohibited items out of Nigeria through the warehouses of the handling firms.

Just recently, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) had at its Annual General Meeting in Dublin frowned at poaching of animals particularly in Africa, saying the activities of poachers would lead of extinction of the animals.

IATA said over $3billion was realised from the illegal animal trade, calling on governments to stem the tide.

New Telegraph gathered that the donkey skin were stolen from East African nations and we’re housed with NAHCO and SAHCOL, leading to their shutdown.

Customs officials said the skin were brought into Nigeria from Kenya but added that some freight forwarders colluded to help them to ferry the item to their country.

Spokesman for SAHCOL, Basil Agboarumi confirmed the incident, saying it happened late Monday.

Agboarumi said the Customs were doing their job, adding that they do not have power to stop them when it comes to them doing their job. He however said the matter would be resolved as soon as possible.

The Kenyan government is worried over ‎ stealing and smuggling of animal skin by foreigners.

A visit to the warehouses showed that the export warehouses were locked while the import warehouses were opened.