Key points
- Nigeria Customs Service seizes contraband worth ₦98.3 million in six weeks.
- Items include petroleum products, donkey derivatives, second-hand clothing, and unregistered drugs.
- Authorities warn of strict enforcement and prosecution of offenders.
Main story
The Nigeria Customs Service, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intercepted smuggled goods valued at ₦98.3 million in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted over six weeks.
The Customs Area Controller, Muhammed Tarko, disclosed this during a press conference held at the Customs House in Yola on April 15, 2026. He said the seizures were made across multiple locations within the Command’s jurisdiction, targeting illicit trade activities.
According to him, the intercepted items included 43 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, cartons of pharmaceutical products such as Viagra tablets, as well as petroleum products and wildlife derivatives.
The Command also recorded the seizure of 509 pieces of raw donkey skin and 460 kilogrammes of dried donkey meat along the Mubi–Sangere axis, in addition to large quantities of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
“In total, we intercepted 1,288 jerrycans and three drums containing approximately 32,860 litres of PMS, alongside 2,800 litres of AGO,” Tarko said, describing the operations as a demonstration of the Service’s commitment to combating smuggling.
The issues
Smuggling of petroleum products, wildlife parts, and unregistered pharmaceuticals continues to pose significant threats to Nigeria’s economy, environmental sustainability, and public health. Weak border controls and illicit trade networks have further complicated enforcement efforts in border regions.
What’s being said
Tarko stated that the operations were carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as the Export Prohibition List under the Common External Tariff.
He warned that the Command maintains zero tolerance for smuggling, stressing that offenders will face seizure of goods, arrest, and prosecution.
The Comptroller also urged individuals involved in illegal trade to embrace legitimate business activities, while reaffirming the Service’s commitment to facilitating lawful trade.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, alongside other security agencies and the media, for their support in enhancing operational success.
What’s next
The Command is expected to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations across border corridors, while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies to dismantle smuggling networks.
Bottom line
The ₦98.3 million seizure highlights ongoing efforts by Customs to curb illicit trade, but sustained enforcement and inter-agency cooperation remain critical to tackling smuggling and safeguarding the nation’s economy.
