The Nigeria Customs Service, Adamawa and Taraba Area Command, has intercepted smuggled items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) exceeding ₦362 million during a series of intelligence-led operations across the two states.
The Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Tako, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Yola, Adamawa State, on Wednesday.
According to him, the seizures included 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales, 74 kilogrammes of ivory tusks, 25,295 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, nine kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, 64 raw donkey skins and 534.55 kilogrammes of dried donkey meat.
Tako said operatives also seized three vehicles comprising a DAF low-bed truck, a Sanny motor grader and a Toyota Hiace bus, while five suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggling activities.
“The suspects are currently under investigation and will be prosecuted in due course,” he said.
The Customs boss attributed the successful operations to credible intelligence and coordinated surveillance across major smuggling routes within the command.
He explained that one of the major interceptions occurred along the Gudusu-Belal route, where officers stopped a DAF low-bed trailer transporting a Sanny motor grader allegedly being illegally exported to the Republic of Chad.
Other operations carried out along the Goshindan-Belal, Mubi-Sahuda, Maiha-Wuro Alhaji and Pariya-Wuro Bokki corridors also led to the seizure of thousands of litres of petrol packaged in jerry cans and a drum, as well as raw donkey skins.
“These operations were carried out based on the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, the Common External Tariff Export Prohibition List and international conventions protecting endangered wildlife species,” Tako stated.
He warned that the illegal trade in petroleum products, wildlife parts and illicit drugs poses serious threats to national security, public health and the economy.
“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,” he said.
Tako stressed that offenders would face the full weight of the law, including the forfeiture of assets used in committing the offences.
He added that the seized donkey skins would be destroyed in collaboration with relevant government agencies in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
