Customs Intercept ₦362.2m Contraband, Arrest Five In Adamawa, Taraba

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intercepted contraband with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦362.2 million and arrested five suspects during a six-week anti-smuggling operation across the two states.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller M.A. Tako, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Yola, saying the seizures were made through intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economy, securing the nation’s borders and combating trans-border crimes.

Tako said one of the major breakthroughs occurred on June 9, 2026, when Customs operatives intercepted a DAF low-bed trailer conveying a Sany motor grader along the Gudusu-Belal route. The equipment, he said, was allegedly being smuggled out of the country to the Republic of Chad.

He added that on June 18, officers intercepted 370 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), each with a capacity of 25 litres, along the Goshindan-Belal axis.

According to him, subsequent operations led to the seizure of 308 jerry cans of PMS and 64 raw donkey skins along the Mubi-Sahuda axis on June 29, 181 jerry cans of PMS on the Pariya-Wuro Bokki route on July 2, and 144 jerry cans alongside a 220-litre drum of PMS on the Maiha-Wuro Alhaji axis on July 15.

The Controller also disclosed that operatives intercepted nine kilograms of Cannabis sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, concealed in nine separate packages along the Gurin-Turrah axis on July 21.

He described the July 23 interception along the Yola-Numan Road as one of the Command’s most significant operations. During the operation, officers intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus conveying 220 kilograms of pangolin scales packed in three sacks, 48 ivory tusks weighing 74 kilograms concealed in two sacks, 534.55 kilograms of dried donkey meat, as well as other prohibited items.

Giving a summary of the seizures, Tako said the Command confiscated 25,295 litres of PMS, 220 kilograms of pangolin scales, 74 kilograms of ivory tusks, 64 raw donkey skins, 534.55 kilograms of dried donkey meat, and nine kilograms of Cannabis sativa during the six-week operation.

He added that the Command also seized three vehicles—the DAF low-bed truck, the Sany motor grader and the Toyota Hiace bus—while five suspects were arrested and are currently under investigation for prosecution.

The Customs Area Controller said the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the seized items stood at ₦362,204,543.91.

He explained that the operations were conducted in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the Common External Tariff Export Prohibition List, and international conventions protecting endangered wildlife species.

Tako warned that the illegal export of petroleum products, trafficking in endangered wildlife and illicit drugs remained serious threats to national security, economic stability, biodiversity conservation and public health.

He reaffirmed the Service’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling and vowed to sustain intelligence-led enforcement operations to dismantle criminal networks involved in illicit trade.

The Controller announced that the seized donkey skins would be destroyed in collaboration with relevant government agencies in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.

While reaffirming the Service’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade, he urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible intelligence to curb smuggling and other cross-border crimes.

Tako also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and support, and appreciated sister security agencies, Customs officers and the media for their collaboration in safeguarding the nation’s economy.