The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, recording seizures of contraband items with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over ₦362 million within six weeks.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Abdullahi Tako, disclosed this while addressing journalists at a press briefing held at the Customs House in Yola. He said the seizures were made through intelligence-driven operations conducted across strategic locations in Adamawa and Taraba states as part of efforts to safeguard the nation’s economy and combat illicit trade.

According to Tako, one of the major interceptions involved a DAF low-bed trailer transporting a Sanny motor grader allegedly being illegally exported to the Republic of Chad. The seizure was made on June 9 along the Gudusu-Belal route leading to Cameroon.

The command also intercepted large quantities of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, during separate operations in border communities. On June 18, officers seized 370 jerrycans of PMS along the Goshindan-Belal axis. Another 308 jerrycans of PMS and 64 pieces of raw donkey skin were intercepted along the Mubi-Sahuda route on June 29.

Further operations led to the seizure of 181 jerrycans of PMS at the Pariya-Wuro Bokki axis on July 2, while 144 jerrycans and a 220-litre drum of PMS were confiscated at Maiha-Wuro Alhaji on July 15.

On July 21, Customs operatives intercepted nine kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as Indian hemp, along the Gurin-Turrah axis.

In what the Comptroller described as one of the command’s most significant wildlife-related seizures, officers intercepted a Toyota Hiace bus along the Yola-Numan Road on July 23, conveying 220 kilograms of pangolin scales packed in three sacks, 48 pieces of ivory tusks weighing 74 kilograms concealed in two sacks, and 534.55 kilograms of dried donkey meat. The command also recovered 64 pieces of complete raw donkey skin during the operations.

Providing an overview of the seizures, Tako said the command confiscated 25,295 litres of PMS contained in 1,003 jerrycans and one drum, nine kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 74 kilograms of ivory tusks, 220 kilograms of pangolin scales, donkey skins, dried donkey meat, and three vehicles, including a DAF truck, a Sanny motor grader and a Toyota Hiace bus.

He disclosed that five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently undergoing investigation ahead of prosecution.

The Comptroller explained that the operations were carried out 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).

He warned that the smuggling of petroleum products, endangered wildlife species and illicit drugs poses serious threats to national security, public health and the country’s economic stability.

Tako further 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, sister security agencies, officers of the command and members of the media for their continued support and collaboration in the fight against smuggling.

Also speaking, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) praised the Nigeria Customs Service for the successful operations. A representative of the agency said the seizures demonstrated the effectiveness of Customs’ anti-smuggling efforts and deserved commendation.

The agency, however, stressed the need for NESREA to be fully involved in future wildlife-related seizures to ensure proper documentation, environmental compliance and greater accountability in the handling and disposal of confiscated items.