Customs Seizes ₦362m Smuggled Goods in Adamawa, Taraba, Warns Offenders
The Nigeria Customs Service has warned smugglers and other economic saboteurs operating across Adamawa and Taraba states to abandon illicit activities or face prosecution, asset forfeiture and other sanctions prescribed by law.
The Customs Area Controller, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Comptroller Mohammed Tako, issued the warning on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, during a press briefing at the Customs House in Yola, where he announced the interception of smuggled goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦362.2 million.
Tako said the Service remained committed to facilitating legitimate trade and supporting compliant businesses but would not relent in disrupting smuggling networks operating within its jurisdiction.
“We strongly advise economic saboteurs to abandon illicit activities and embrace legitimate trade. The NCS remains committed to facilitating lawful trade, but we will relentlessly dismantle smuggling cartels operating within our jurisdiction to let the national economy thrive,” he said.
The Comptroller warned that the illegal movement of petroleum products, narcotics and endangered wildlife posed serious threats to national security, public health and economic stability, particularly in border communities.
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According to him, intelligence-led operations conducted over the preceding six weeks resulted in the arrest of five suspects and the seizure of various consignments valued at ₦362,204,543.91.
Among the seized items were 25,295 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, 9kg of Cannabis Sativa and heavy-duty machinery, including a DAF lowbed trailer conveying a Sanny motor grader allegedly destined for illegal export to Chad.
Three operational vehicles were also intercepted during the operations.
The Customs Area Controller further disclosed that officers intercepted several protected wildlife products along the Yola-Numan Road.
The seizures included 220kg of pangolin scales, 74kg of ivory tusks, 64 raw donkey skins and 534.55kg of dried donkey meat.
Tako said the confiscated wildlife products were scheduled for destruction in collaboration with relevant partner agencies, in line with applicable regulations on the protection of endangered species.
He added that the five suspects remained under investigation and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of the necessary investigative procedures.
The Customs Service reiterated its resolve to strengthen intelligence-led enforcement and inter-agency collaboration to curb smuggling and other cross-border crimes across Adamawa and Taraba states.
By PRNigeria
