The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted a N362 million contraband goods and arrested five suspected smugglers in the border areas of Adamawa and Taraba states

The NCS authority said the interception and arrests were made in the Gudusu-Belal border axis of Adamawa state.

Announcing the seizures and arrests on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa state, the Customs Area Controller of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Mohammed Abdullahi Tako, said the joint operations were conducted for over six weeks to combat cross-border smuggling, generate government revenue and enhance security in the border areas with Cameroon.

Tako said that one of the command’s major successes was the interception of a DAF low-bed truck transporting a Sanny motor grader, allegedly being smuggled to the Republic of Chad through the Gudusu–Belal border corridor on June 9. 2026.

He added that the command also intensified its crackdown on the illegal export of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), intercepting 25,295 litres of petrol packed in 1,003 jerrycans and a drum during separate operations along major smuggling routes in the two states.

The Controller added that three vehicles linked to the smuggling activities—including the DAF truck, the Sanny motor grader and the Toyota Hiace bus—were also seized by NCS.

“Five suspects have been arrested and are currently being investigated ahead of prosecution in line with 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),” Tako said.

Tako, therefore warned that the illegal trade in petroleum products, endangered wildlife and prohibited substances poses serious threats to national security, environmental conservation and public safety, while depriving the country of much-needed revenu

Representatives of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency commended the command for intercepting endangered wildlife products and called for stronger collaboration to ensure proper documentation, environmental compliance and accountability in handling future wildlife-related seizures.