The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intercepted smuggled items worth over ₦362 million, including endangered wildlife products, petroleum products, cannabis, and donkey parts, during a series of intelligence-led operations.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at the command headquarters in Yola, the Area Controller, Mohammed Tako, disclosed that the seizures included 220 kilograms of pangolin scales and 74 kilograms of ivory tusks, alongside other prohibited items.
According to him, the command also recovered 25,295 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) contained in 1,003 jerry cans and one drum, 9 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 64 raw donkey skins, 534.55 kilograms of dried donkey meat, three vehicles, and arrested five suspects.
The seized vehicles include a DAF low-bed truck, a Sanny motor grader, and a Toyota Hiace bus.
Tako said the interceptions were made through intelligence-driven operations conducted across various border routes within the command.
He explained that on June 9, Customs operatives intercepted a DAF low-bed trailer transporting a Sanny motor grader along the Gudusu–Belal route while it was allegedly being illegally exported to the Republic of Chad.
Subsequent operations between June and July led to the seizure of hundreds of jerry cans filled with petrol along the Goshindan–Belal, Mubi–Sahuda, Maiha–Wuro Alhaji, and Pariya–Wuro Bokki axes.
The Customs boss said the operations were carried out in line with relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the Common External Tariff Export Prohibition List, and international wildlife protection agreements under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
He warned that the illegal trade in petroleum products, endangered wildlife species, and narcotics 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,” Tako said.
He added that the arrested suspects are currently under investigation and will be prosecuted, while the seized donkey skins will be destroyed in collaboration with relevant government agencies in accordance with the law….See more