The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, have burst the ring of smugglers with interception of various contraband items worth over N1.7 billion.

Besides, the Area command has generated N63.08 billion in revenue between January and June 2026, representing a 7.4 per cent increase over the N58.39 billion collected during the same period in 2025.

The Acting Controller of the Area, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman U. Adamu, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media briefing on the Command’s half-year performance report.

Adamu explained that the command recorded 13 categories of major seizures, including unregistered pharmaceuticals such as tramadol and pregabalin, four air pistols imported in violation of the Firearms Act.

Other intercepted items, according to the Comptroller, include 2,000 pieces of 25-litre kegs of foreign refined packaged vegetable oil worth over N159 million, military uniforms and accoutrements, smuggled vehicles and truck heads.

Similarly contrabands items confiscated were foreign spaghetti and macaroni, foreign parboiled rice, counterfeit agro-chemical packaging materials, an RX drone camera GPS imported without the required End User Certificate, and 14 diverted 40-foot transit containers linked to abuse of Customs transit procedures.

Adamu said the Command arrested 22 suspects in connection with the seizures, noting that some had been handed over to relevant security and regulatory agencies for further investigation, while others were granted administrative bail.

On the revenue generation, the Area controller disclosed that total sum of N63,078,655,523.44 in revenue realized, exceeding the figure recorded in the same period of 2025 by N4.69 billion, despite a decline in cargo throughput.

According to him, the Kano Free Trade Zone contributed more than N26 billion within the first six months of 2026, surpassing the Zone’s total revenue for the entire 2025 fiscal year by about N4 billion.

On enforcement activities, the Acting Controller said the Command intensified intelligence-driven operations and strengthened collaboration with other security agencies, leading to significant seizures and arrests.

The Acting Controller also revealed that the Command recorded major interceptions at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, involving undeclared foreign currencies and negotiable instruments in violation of the Anti-Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

According to him, the intercepted items included 568,100 United States Dollars, 134,256 Saudi Riyals, 28 Chinese Yuan, 20 Ghana Cedis, as well as 35 kilograms of silver bars valued at N175 million.

He described the interceptions as a demonstration of the Command’s commitment to combating illicit financial flows and protecting Nigeria’s financial system.

Adamu attributed the Command’s performance to a number of strategic reforms introduced since his assumption of office as Acting Customs Area Controller.