By Billy Graham Abel, Yola
In a sweeping anti-smuggling operation across Adamawa and Taraba States, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has seized contraband goods valued at over N104 million within a span of four weeks.
The breakthrough was announced Tuesday at a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Yola, where Area Controller Bashir Garba detailed the sophisticated, intelligence-led operation that led to the interception of a large cache of illicit goods.
Among the items seized were 36,835 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), meticulously concealed in 1,219 jerry cans and 24 drums, and 101 pieces of raw donkey skin packed in seven sacks—both destined for smuggling across Nigeria’s borders.
“These seizures are the result of coordinated border patrols, modern surveillance techniques, and actionable intelligence,” Garba told reporters. “This is not just an economic crime; it’s a threat to national security, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare.”
Particularly alarming was the seizure of raw donkey hides—a practice that Garba condemned as ecologically dangerous and morally reprehensible. “Each skin represents the life of a donkey cruelly slaughtered for illegal profit. If left unchecked, this could push the species toward extinction,” he warned, citing violations under Schedule Six of the Common External Tariff and Section 150 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The contraband was intercepted at key flashpoints including Mubi-Sahuda Road, Girei-Wuro Boki axis, Maiha Road, Belel-Farang, Gurin-Fufore, Apawa-Jalingo, Gembu, and other sensitive border zones within the command’s jurisdiction.
Due to the volatile nature of the seized fuel products, some have already been auctioned according to legal provisions, while others will be sold to the public post-briefing, with proceeds remitted to the federation account.
Despite growing resistance, including threats, physical assaults, and orchestrated smear campaigns by economic saboteurs, Garba emphasized the Command’s unwavering resolve. “We will not be intimidated. We remain steadfast in our mission to cripple smuggling networks operating within our borders,” he declared.
Garba praised the collaborative efforts of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone D, the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), the Strike Intervention Squad (SIS), and other sister security agencies. He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his visionary leadership and operational support.
Calling on the media to sustain its advocacy, the Area Controller reiterated that the crackdown targets smugglers, not legitimate businesses. “Our message is simple: abandon smuggling and embrace lawful trade. The future of Nigeria’s economy depends on our collective resolve.”
With smuggling tactics evolving rapidly, the Customs boss vowed that the Service will remain a step ahead, driven by technology, patriotism, and public cooperation to safeguard the nation’s borders and economic sovereignty.