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By Billy Abel, Yola
The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted prohibited items, including pangolin scales, elephant tusks, donkey skins, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and cannabis, with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦362,204,543.91.
The Customs Area Comptroller, Mohammed Aminu Tanko, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Yola, describing the seizures as part of the Command’s renewed offensive against smuggling and other trans-border crimes.
Tanko said that over the past six weeks, the Command had intensified intelligence-driven anti-smuggling operations in line with the statutory mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service to protect the nation’s economy and conserve its natural resources.
According to him, Customs operatives carried out several coordinated operations across different locations in Adamawa and Taraba states.
He revealed that on June 9, 2026, at about 8:15 p.m., officers intercepted a DAF low-bed trailer conveying a Sany motor grader along the Gudusu-Belel axis while it was allegedly being illegally exported to the Republic of Chad.
The Comptroller listed other seizures made during the period to include 25,295 litres of Premium Motor Spirit concealed in 1,003 jerrycans and one drum, nine kilograms of cannabis sativa, 74 kilograms of pangolin scales, 64 raw donkey skins, 534.55 kilograms of dried donkey meat, and three vehicles comprising a DAF low-bed truck, a Sany motor grader and a Toyota Hiace bus.
He added that five suspects had been arrested in connection with the seizures and are currently under investigation ahead of prosecution.
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According to Tanko, the cumulative Duty Paid Value of the seized items is ₦362,204,543.91.
He explained that the operations were conducted in line with the provisions of Sections 55, 150, 233, 245, 246 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
He noted that Section 150 empowers the Service to prevent the illegal exportation of prohibited goods, while Sections 245 and 246 provide for the detention, seizure and absolute forfeiture of smuggled items.
The Comptroller warned that the illegal trafficking of petroleum products, endangered wildlife species and narcotic substances poses serious threats to national security, public health, biodiversity conservation and economic development.
He reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance stance against smuggling, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law, including the forfeiture of assets linked to criminal activities.
Tanko further disclosed that the confiscated donkey skins were destroyed immediately in collaboration with relevant security and regulatory agencies in compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
He urged smugglers to abandon illegal activities and embrace legitimate trade, assuring that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to facilitate lawful commerce while dismantling smuggling syndicates operating within its area of responsibility.
“Our message is clear: abandon smuggling and engage in legitimate business. The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to facilitating lawful trade while ensuring that criminal networks undermining the nation’s economy are brought to justice,” he said.
