Nigeria intercepts hundreds of sacks of donkey meat

Nigerian customs officials say they have intercepted 1,390 sacks of donkey meat in the north-western state of Kebbi near the border with Niger. 

Initial investigations suggested about 1,000 donkeys were slaughtered and their meat packed in the sacks, according to Joseph Attah, the head of customs in the region.

He termed it an ‘’illegal trade of wildlife’’ which violates Nigerian laws. 

The sacks were being transported in a truck whose destination was not immediately clear. 

The driver of the truck and one other suspect have been arrested and will be prosecuted, officials said.

Nigeria has been struggling to tackle the killing of donkeys and the illegal trade of their parts as the population of the animals continue to decline rapidly. 

In the past, Nigerian officials said donkey body parts - including the skin - were usually smuggled to Asian countries including China where it’s believed they were used to make traditional medicines and cosmetics.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP