The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations with the interception of contraband goods valued at N112.6 million.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Garba Bashir, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Command headquarters in Yola.
Bashir said the seizures were made within six weeks of sustained patrols and intelligence-led enforcement along several smuggling corridors.
According to him, the operations led to 29 separate seizures across routes such as the Mubi–Sahuda axis, Girei–Wuro Bokki, Jamtari–Farang/Belel, Wuro Alhaji, Damare bank, Gurin–Fufore, and Yerima road in Gembu.
He said the seized items included 20,600 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) packed in 824 jerrycans, 91 cartons of expired Tramadol capsules, 54 cartons of foreign soaps, and 64 pieces of raw donkey skins meant for illegal exportation.
Bashir warned that the circulation of expired pharmaceutical products could lead to severe health crises and youth addiction, stressing that the 91 cartons of expired Tramadol were intercepted in Mubi on Aug. 30, 2025, following credible intelligence.
“If these expired Tramadol capsules had found their way into circulation, they could have caused widespread harm, human capital deterioration, and unfair market competition,” he said.
The comptroller added that the seized drugs would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for safe destruction in line with Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
On the interception of donkey skins, Bashir explained that 64 raw skins were seized on Sept. 30, 2025, at the Damare River Bank, where smugglers had concealed them in sacks awaiting transport to Cameroon.
He said the exportation of donkey skins violates Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 150 of the NCS Act 2023.
“The seizure represents the slaughter of 64 donkeys. If this illicit trade continues unchecked, the species risks extinction,” he said, noting that the trade is driven largely by international demand from Asia.
Bashir further revealed that 54 cartons of foreign soap were seized along the Damare River Bank on Oct. 3, 2025, at about 10 p.m., in violation of Schedule 3 of the CET (2022–2026) and Section 233 of the NCS Act 2023.
He said the seized PMS would be auctioned to the public immediately after the briefing, with proceeds remitted into the Federation Account.
The comptroller noted that sustained collaboration with border communities and sister security agencies had been instrumental to the Command’s success.
He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his leadership and logistical support, as well as the media for balanced reportage on anti-smuggling activities.
“Let me state unequivocally that the Command will not relent in the fight against illicit trade until smuggling cartels and networks in Adamawa and Taraba States are completely dismantled within the confines of the law,” Bashir said.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, enhancing national security, and facilitating legitimate trade.
