The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, leading to the seizure of prohibited goods valued at more than ₦362 million within the last six weeks.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Abdullahi Tako, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola, where he highlighted the command’s recent operational achievements.
According to him, the seizures were made through intelligence-led operations carried out across strategic border communities in Adamawa and Taraba states to combat smuggling and safeguard the nation’s economy.
Among the major interceptions was a DAF low-bed truck transporting a Sanny motor grader allegedly being smuggled out of Nigeria to the Republic of Chad. The seizure was made on June 9 along the Gudusu-Belal border route.
The command also intercepted large volumes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in separate operations across border areas.
Comptroller Tako said officers recovered 370 jerrycans of petrol along the Goshindan-Belal axis on June 18. Another operation on June 29 along the Mubi-Sahuda route led to the seizure of 308 jerrycans of petrol and 64 raw donkey skins.
He added that 181 jerrycans of petrol were intercepted along the Pariya-Wuro Bokki axis on July 2, while another 144 jerrycans and a 220-litre drum of petrol were seized at Maiha-Wuro Alhaji on July 15.
The command also confiscated nine kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, during an operation along the Gurin-Turrah route on July 21.
In another major breakthrough, Customs operatives intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus on the Yola-Numan Road carrying 220 kilograms of pangolin scales packed in three sacks, 74 kilograms of elephant ivory concealed in two sacks, and 534.55 kilograms of dried donkey meat. Officers also recovered additional raw donkey skins during the operation.
Overall, the command seized 25,295 litres of petrol contained in 1,003 jerrycans and one drum, nine kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 220 kilograms of pangolin scales, 74 kilograms of ivory tusks, raw donkey skins, dried donkey meat, and three vehicles, including a DAF truck, a Sanny motor grader and a Toyota Hiace bus.
The Customs Area Controller disclosed that five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently being investigated ahead of prosecution.
He explained that the operations were conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the Common External Tariff Export Prohibition List and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Tako warned that the illegal movement of petroleum products, wildlife products and illicit drugs poses serious threats to national security, economic growth and public safety.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to tackling smuggling and urged those involved in illegal cross-border trade to embrace legitimate business activities.
The Comptroller also announced that the seized donkey skins would be destroyed in collaboration with relevant government agencies in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officers of the command, sister security agencies and the media for their continued support, pledging that the command would sustain its efforts to dismantle smuggling networks and facilitate lawful trade across Adamawa and Taraba states.
