Customs Intercepts ₦362m Contraband in Adamawa
Nigeria Customs seized illegal wildlife parts, petroleum products, cannabis and other prohibited items worth over ₦362 million.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted contraband items valued at more than ₦362 million in the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command. The seized goods included illegal wildlife parts, petroleum products, cannabis and other prohibited items discovered during intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Aminu Tanko, announced the seizures on Wednesday during a press briefing in Yola. He said the operations, which lasted six weeks, were part of the agency’s efforts to protect the Nigerian economy and stop illegal cross-border trade.
Tanko revealed that one major interception occurred on June 9, 2026, at about 8:15 p.m., when officers stopped a DAF low-bed trailer carrying a Sany motor grader along the Gudusu-Belel route. He said authorities suspected the equipment was being illegally exported to the Republic of Chad.
Other seized items 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.
The Nigeria Customs Service also seized three vehicles linked to the operations: the DAF low-bed truck, the Sany motor grader and a Toyota Hiace bus. Tanko said five suspects were arrested and remain under investigation before possible prosecution.
He stated that the total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of all seized items was ₦362,204,543.91. According to him, the operations followed provisions under Sections 55, 150, 233, 245, 246 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as the Export Prohibition List under the Common External Tariff (CET) and rules of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Tanko explained that the law allows the service to prevent illegal exports and provides powers for the detention, seizure and forfeiture of smuggled goods. He warned that the illegal movement of petroleum products, endangered species and drugs threatens national security, public health and economic stability.
He reaffirmed the command’s anti-smuggling operations commitment and warned offenders that they would face legal consequences, including the loss of assets connected to criminal activities.
The Customs controller added that officials destroyed the seized donkey skins immediately in partnership with relevant government agencies, following legal requirements. He encouraged smugglers to abandon illegal activities and pursue lawful trade.
He said, “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,”
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