Nigeria Customs Service has intensified its crackdown on smuggling activities, with the Adamawa-Taraba Area Command recording significant seizures of contraband goods valued at over N98 million within a six-week period.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Tanko, revealed the details during a press conference held at the command headquarters in Yola on Wednesday.
He explained that the achievements were the result of sustained anti-smuggling operations carried out across key border routes in Adamawa and Taraba states.
Among the items seized were petroleum products, second-hand clothing, donkey skin and meat, as well as unregistered pharmaceutical products. These items were intercepted at various strategic locations known for cross-border smuggling activities.
Providing a breakdown of the operations, Tanko disclosed that on February 26, 2026, officers intercepted 43 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, along with cartons and packages of Viagra 200 mg tablets, along the Savannah-Numan axis in Adamawa State.
Further operations on March 12, 2026, along the Mubi-Sangere route led to the seizure of 509 pieces of raw donkey skin and 460 kilograms of dried donkey meat.
In separate incidents, operatives intercepted large quantities of petroleum products. On March 13, 2026, 110 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), each containing 25 litres, were seized along the Likitaba-Gembu axis in Taraba State.
“Additionally, 520 Jerry cans of 25 litres each of PMS and 112x25L Jerry cans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were seized on Sunday, 15th March 2026, at about 0200hrs along Mubi-Sahuda axis,” the Customs controller said.
Continuing the operations, officers intercepted 482 jerry cans of PMS on March 17, 2026, along the Maiha-Belel corridor in Adamawa State.
“Finally, on Monday, 11th April, 2026, at about 0025 hrs, officers of the Command intercepted 176x25L Jerry Cans and 3x220L drums of PMS along Toungo-Ganye axis (Adamawa),” he said.
In total, the command seized 1,288 jerry cans and three drums containing approximately 32,860 litres of petrol, alongside 2,800 litres of diesel stored in 112 jerry cans. The cumulative duty-paid value of all intercepted goods stands at N98,375,325.00.
Tanko explained that the operations were conducted in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as the Export Prohibition List under the Common External Tariff, which empowers officers to prevent the illegal export of restricted items such as petroleum products and wildlife derivatives.
He emphasized the broader implications of smuggling activities, noting their impact on national security, public health, and economic stability.
“Smuggling of petroleum products, wildlife and unregistered pharmaceuticals undermines national security, public health and economic stability. There will be zero tolerance for such illegal acts. Let me reiterate that offenders will face seizures of goods, arrest and prosecution without exception,” Tanko said.
The Customs Service reiterated its commitment to strengthening border surveillance and enforcing regulations aimed at curbing illegal trade across the region.
