Customs Seizes ₦362m Worth of Contraband

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intercepted contraband valued at more than ₦362 million during a series of intelligence-led operations carried out over the past six weeks. The Customs seizures included illegal wildlife products, petroleum products, cannabis and other prohibited items, highlighting the agency’s continued efforts to combat cross-border smuggling.

Speaking during a press briefing in Yola, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Aminu Tanko, said the operations were aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economy and disrupting illegal trade networks. One of the biggest breakthroughs came on June 9, 2026, when officers intercepted a DAF low-bed trailer transporting a Sany motor grader along the Gudusu-Belel route. The heavy equipment was allegedly being smuggled out of Nigeria to the Republic of Chad.

According to Tanko, the Customs seizures also 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 raw donkey skins, 534.55 kilogrammes of dried donkey meat, and elephant tusks. Officers also confiscated three vehicles, including the trailer, the motor grader and a Toyota Hiace bus.

The command arrested five suspects, who are currently under investigation ahead of prosecution. Tanko said the seized items have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦362,204,543.91 and explained that the operations complied with relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the Common External Tariff (CET) and CITES regulations.

He reaffirmed that the Nigeria Customs Service would maintain zero tolerance for smuggling, warning that offenders would face prosecution and lose assets connected to illegal activities. He also revealed that the confiscated donkey skins were destroyed in collaboration with relevant government agencies, while urging smugglers to embrace lawful trade.

Do you think stricter border enforcement will significantly reduce smuggling and wildlife trafficking in Nigeria?