(NCS With Some of The Contraband. Photo by Tribune Online)
The Nigeria Customs Service, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intercepted contraband items with a cumulative Duty Paid Value exceeding ₦362 million, encompassing illegal wildlife parts, petroleum products, cannabis, and other prohibited goods.
The Customs Area Controller disclosed this development during a press briefing in Yola, explaining that the seizures resulted from intelligence-led anti-smuggling operations conducted over the preceding six weeks as part of the service’s mandate to protect the Nigerian economy and curb illicit cross-border trade.
According to the controller, the command recorded a significant interception on June 9, 2026, when operatives intercepted a trailer conveying heavy machinery along a border route while allegedly being illegally exported to a neighbouring country.
Additional seizures during this period included substantial quantities of petroleum products stored in numerous containers, ca₦abis, pangolin scales, raw donkey skins, dried donkey meat, and elephant tusks.
Three vehicles were also seized in connection with these operations.
The controller confirmed that five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and remain under investigation ahead of prosecution, with the cumulative Duty Paid Value of all seized items totalling ₦362,204,543.91.
He explained that the operations were conducted in accordance with multiple provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, alongside relevant international trade regulations and conventions governing endangered species protection.
He noted that specific legislative provisions empower the service to prevent illegal exportation of goods while providing for detention, seizure, and forfeiture of smuggled items.
The customs official warned that smuggling of petroleum products, endangered wildlife species, and illicit drugs poses serious threats to national security, public health, and economic stability.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining zero tolerance toward smuggling activities, cautioning that offenders would face full legal consequences and forfeit all assets connected to criminal activities.
The controller further disclosed that seized donkey skins were destroyed immediately in collaboration with relevant government agencies in accordance with applicable legislative provisions.
He urged smugglers to abandon illegal activities and embrace legitimate trade practices, emphasising the service’s commitment to facilitating lawful commerce while relentlessly dismantling smuggling networks operating within its jurisdiction to enable national economic growth.