Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Adamawa/Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified its anti-smuggling operations, recovering goods with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N112,590,000, the Service announced on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
At a press briefing held at the Customs House, Yola, Comptroller Garba Bashir, the Area Controller, said the Command recorded twenty-nine seizures within six weeks through patrols and intelligence-driven operations across smuggling hotspots including Mubi–Sahuda, Girei–Wuro Bokki, Jamtari–Farang/Belel, Wuro Alhaji, Damare Bank, Gurin–Fufore, and Yerima Road in Gembu.
Among the seized items were:
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20,600 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), packed in 824 jerrycans of 25-litre capacity.
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91 cartons of expired Tramadol capsules.
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54 cartons of foreign soaps.
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64 pieces of raw donkey skins intended for illegal export.
Speaking on the dangers of expired medical products, Comptroller Bashir highlighted that the 91 cartons of Tramadol capsules, intercepted on August 30, 2025, in Mubi, could have caused mass health crises, high mortality rates, and youth addiction if circulated. He confirmed that the drugs would be handed over to NAFDAC for proper disposal in accordance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
Regarding the donkey skins, seized on September 30 at the Damare River Bank, Bashir warned that continued illicit trade threatens the species’ survival, noting that the trade is driven mainly by international demand from Asia. The export violates Schedule 6 of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 150 of the NCS Act, 2023.
The 54 cartons of foreign soap, intercepted on October 3, also contravened import regulations under Schedule 3 of the CET (2022–2026) and Section 233 of the NCS Act, 2023. Meanwhile, the seized PMS is set to be auctioned publicly, with proceeds remitted into the Federation Account.
Comptroller Bashir credited cooperation with border communities, sister security agencies, and other Customs units for the operational success, adding that continuous intelligence-sharing has disrupted smuggling networks.
He commended Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for his visionary leadership and consistent support for field operations, and urged the media to continue educating the public on the dangers of smuggling.
“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 declared.
The Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders, generating revenue, ensuring national security, and facilitating legitimate trade.
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