In 2 Months, Customs Foils N1.01bn Smuggling Network in Kano, Jigawa
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Area Command has disrupted a major illicit trade network, intercepting prohibited goods valued at over ₦1.01 billion and arresting several suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations across Kano and Jigawa States.
The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano, on Tuesday.
Adamu said the seizures were recorded between January and early March 2026 as a result of intelligence-driven operations, coordinated patrols and strengthened collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies.
According to him, the intercepted items ranged from undeclared foreign currencies and precious metals to smuggled vehicles, illicit pharmaceutical products and trafficked wildlife.
He noted that the enforcement actions were aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economy, safeguarding public health and preventing revenue losses linked to illegal cross-border trade.
“Our anti-smuggling operations are designed to protect the Nigerian economy, safeguard public health and prevent illicit trade that undermines legitimate businesses,” Adamu said.
One of the major interceptions, he said, occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where Customs officers uncovered undeclared foreign currencies concealed in a passenger’s luggage.
He explained that officers recovered 106,500 United States dollars, 134,256 Saudi riyals, 28 Chinese yuan and 20 Ghanaian cedis from the passenger, who failed to declare the funds in line with financial regulations.
In a related incident, another outbound passenger was intercepted with undeclared silver bars weighing about 22.8 kilograms concealed in his baggage without the required export documentation.
Adamu further disclosed that Customs officers intercepted two smuggled Dongfeng vehicles along the Kano–Hadejia and Maiduguri roads, one of which was conveying six silver metal bars weighing about 12.2 kilograms.
The suspect, along with the undeclared currencies and precious metals, has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Acting CAC said the Command also intensified surveillance along major transport corridors known for smuggling activities, leading to the interception of 1,447 pieces of smuggled used pneumatic tyres along the Yan Awaki axis of the Eastern Bypass in Kano.
Similarly, along the Babura axis in Jigawa State, Customs officers intercepted a Citroën bus conveying 35 bales of second-hand clothing and several kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil in violation of import restrictions.
In another operation along the Katsina–Kano axis, officers intercepted a Howo truck head accompanied by forged temporary importation documents.
Further enforcement around Ajiri village in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State led to the seizure of another Howo truck loaded with 2,765 cartons of smuggled foreign spaghetti.
Adamu also announced a significant seizure involving suspected illicit pharmaceutical products.
According to him, Customs officers intercepted more than 15 million capsules of Pregabalin 300mg at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) terminal of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
“The products are suspected to be unregistered medicaments without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and they will be handed over to the agency for further investigation,” he said.
Beyond contraband goods, the Command also recorded cases related to livestock theft and wildlife trafficking.
Adamu disclosed that officers intercepted two cows suspected to have been rustled along Gezawa Road in Kano and arrested two suspects who were subsequently handed over to the police.
He added that Customs officers also rescued a live lion cub within Kano metropolis and arrested two suspects in connection with the illegal possession of the animal.
The Command further intercepted one live pangolin and another dead specimen around the Na’ibawa axis of Kano, while a second live pangolin was later seized along the Kano–Maiduguri road.
Adamu said the wildlife seizures were carried out in line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).In 2 Months, Customs Foils N1.01bn Smuggling Network in Kano, Jigawa
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Area Command has disrupted a major illicit trade network, intercepting prohibited goods valued at over ₦1.01 billion and arresting several suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations across Kano and Jigawa States.
The Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano, on Tuesday.
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Adamu said the seizures were recorded between January and early March 2026 as a result of intelligence-driven operations, coordinated patrols and strengthened collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies.
According to him, the intercepted items ranged from undeclared foreign currencies and precious metals to smuggled vehicles, illicit pharmaceutical products and trafficked wildlife.
He noted that the enforcement actions were aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economy, safeguarding public health and preventing revenue losses linked to illegal cross-border trade.
“Our anti-smuggling operations are designed to protect the Nigerian economy, safeguard public health and prevent illicit trade that undermines legitimate businesses,” Adamu said.
One of the major interceptions, he said, occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where Customs officers uncovered undeclared foreign currencies concealed in a passenger’s luggage.
He explained that officers recovered 106,500 United States dollars, 134,256 Saudi riyals, 28 Chinese yuan and 20 Ghanaian cedis from the passenger, who failed to declare the funds in line with financial regulations.
In a related incident, another outbound passenger was intercepted with undeclared silver bars weighing about 22.8 kilograms concealed in his baggage without the required export documentation.
Adamu further disclosed that Customs officers intercepted two smuggled Dongfeng vehicles along the Kano–Hadejia and Maiduguri roads, one of which was conveying six silver metal bars weighing about 12.2 kilograms.
The suspect, along with the undeclared currencies and precious metals, has been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Acting CAC said the Command also intensified surveillance along major transport corridors known for smuggling activities, leading to the interception of 1,447 pieces of smuggled used pneumatic tyres along the Yan Awaki axis of the Eastern Bypass in Kano.
Similarly, along the Babura axis in Jigawa State, Customs officers intercepted a Citroën bus conveying 35 bales of second-hand clothing and several kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil in violation of import restrictions.
In another operation along the Katsina–Kano axis, officers intercepted a Howo truck head accompanied by forged temporary importation documents.
Further enforcement around Ajiri village in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State led to the seizure of another Howo truck loaded with 2,765 cartons of smuggled foreign spaghetti.
Adamu also announced a significant seizure involving suspected illicit pharmaceutical products.
According to him, Customs officers intercepted more than 15 million capsules of Pregabalin 300mg at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) terminal of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
“The products are suspected to be unregistered medicaments without approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and they will be handed over to the agency for further investigation,” he said.
Beyond contraband goods, the Command also recorded cases related to livestock theft and wildlife trafficking.
Adamu disclosed that officers intercepted two cows suspected to have been rustled along Gezawa Road in Kano and arrested two suspects who were subsequently handed over to the police.
He added that Customs officers also rescued a live lion cub within Kano metropolis and arrested two suspects in connection with the illegal possession of the animal.
The Command further intercepted one live pangolin and another dead specimen around the Na’ibawa axis of Kano, while a second live pangolin was later seized along the Kano–Maiduguri road.
Adamu said the wildlife seizures were carried out in line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
“In total, the Command recorded seizures across nine major categories of prohibited items with a Duty Paid Value exceeding ₦1.018 billion within the period under review,” he said.
The Acting CAC reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with security agencies and stakeholders in line with the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which is anchored on consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He warned individuals involved in smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage to desist, stressing that the Command would continue to intensify surveillance and enforcement operations across its jurisdiction.
“The Kano/Jigawa Area Command remains resolute in enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other relevant laws. Anyone involved in illegal trade should desist immediately,” he said.
Adamu also commended stakeholders, host communities and the media for their continued support, urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the Service in combating illicit activities.
By PRNigeria
