The Adamawa and Taraba states commands of the Nigeria Customs Service have intercepted smuggled items worth over ₦362 million.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday at the command’s headquarters in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, the Controller, Mohammed Tako, disclosed that some of the items intercepted include 220kg of pangolin scales and 74kg of ivory tusks.
Giving a total breakdown of the intercepted smuggled items, he said, “25,295 Litres of PMS (1,003 Jerry cans and 1 drum),9 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, 64 pieces of complete raw donkey skin and 534.55 kilogrammes of dried donkey meat.
“Three (3) vehicles – one DAF towbed truck, a Sanny Motor Grader and one Toyota Hiace Bus and five (5) suspects. The suspects are currently being investigated and will be prosecuted in due course.”
The Controller pointed out that the interception was successful due to the intelligence-led operations across various locations within the command.
“On Tuesday, 9th June, 2026, at about 2015hrs, along Gudusu-Belal en route Cameroon, one DAF lowbed trailer laden with a Sanny Motor Grader was intercepted on the ground of illegal exportation into the Republic of Chad. Thursday, 18th June 2026 at about 2310hrs along Goshindan-Belal axis, 370 Jerry Cans of 25 litres capacity each of PMS were seized.
“On Monday, 29th June, 2026, at about 0021hrs along Mubi-Sahuda axis, 308 jerry cans (25L each) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 64 pieces of complete raw donkey skin were intercepted. Wednesday, 15th July, 2026, at about 2310hrs along the Maiha-Wuro Alhaji axis; intercepted 144 Jerry Cans (25L each) and 1x220L Drum of PMS.
“On Thursday, 2nd July, 2026, at about 2048hrs along Pariya-Wuro Bokki axis, the command operatives equally intercepted 181 jerry cans (25L each) of PMS,” the statement read, among other recoveries.
He said that the operations were executed pursuant to Sections 55, 150, 233, 245, 246 and 248 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, as well as Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
“Smuggling petroleum products, endangered wildlife species, and Cannabis Sativa directly sabotages national security, undermines public health, and damages economic stability. We maintain zero tolerance for illicit trade,” the controller noted.
He said offenders would face the full wrath of the law and forfeiture of their assets, adding that the seized donkey skins will be destroyed in collaboration with relevant inter-agency partners, pursuant to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service.
