Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intercepted contraband items with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦362 million, including illegal wildlife parts, petroleum products, cannabis, and other prohibited goods.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Aminu Tanko, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Yola, saying the seizures were made during intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations conducted over the past six weeks.
According to him, the operations were part of the Service’s mandate to protect the Nigerian economy and curb illicit cross-border trade.
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He said the command recorded a major interception on June 9, 2026, at about 8:15 p.m., when operatives stopped a DAF low-bed trailer conveying a Sany motor grader along the Gudusu-Belel route while it was allegedly being illegally exported to the Republic of Chad.
Tanko said other seizures made during the period included 25,295 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) stored in 1,003 jerry cans and one drum, nine kilogrammes of Cannabis sativa, 74 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 64 pieces of raw donkey skins, 534.55 kilogrammes of dried donkey meat, and elephant tusks.
He added that three vehicles comprising the DAF low-bed truck, the Sany motor grader and a Toyota Hiace bus were also seized.
According to the Comptroller, five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently under investigation ahead of prosecution.
He said the cumulative Duty Paid Value of all the seized items stood at ₦362,204,543.91.
Tanko explained that the operations were carried out in line with Sections 55, 150, 233, 245, 246 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
He noted that Section 150 of the Act empowers the Service to prevent the illegal exportation of goods, while Sections 245 and 246 provide for the detention, seizure and forfeiture of smuggled items.
The Customs boss warned that the smuggling of petroleum products, endangered wildlife species and illicit drugs poses serious threats to national security, public health and economic stability.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance for smuggling, warning that offenders would face the full weight of the law and forfeit all assets linked to criminal activities.
Tanko also disclosed that the seized donkey skins were destroyed immediately in collaboration with relevant government agencies in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
He urged smugglers to abandon illegal activities and embrace legitimate trade.
“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to facilitating lawful trade, but we will relentlessly dismantle smuggling cartels operating within our jurisdiction to enable the national economy to thrive,” he said.