From Umar Dankano Yola
The Nigeria Custom Service, Adamawa/ Taraba state Area Command has seized smuggled petroleum motor spirit,PMS and other contraband items with cumulative duty paid value (DPV) worth N362,204,543.91k in Adamawa state.
Comptroller in charge of the Command, Cmpt.Mohammed Aminu Tako disclosed the development at a press conference in Yola on Wednesday declaring that the successes were recorded through the command’s anti-smuggling operations
conducted over the past six weeks (6) in fulfilment of the statutory mandate to protect the Nigerian economy.
Tako stated that In total, within 6 weeks of successful anti-smuggling operations, the Command intercepted and seized the following ; 25,295 Litres of PMS (1,003 Jerry cans and 1 drum), 9 Kg of Cannabis Sativa, 74 kilograms of Ivory Tusks, 220 kilograms of Pangolin Scales,
64 pieces of complete raw donkey skin and 534.55 kilograms of dried donkey meat.
Tako added that three (3) vehicles – one DAF Lowbed Truck, a Sanny Motor Grader and one Toyota Hiace Bus as well as five (5) suspects have been arrested and are currently being investigated and will be prosecuted in due course.
Compt.Tako explained that his gallant personnel through intelligence-led operations across various locations within his command made the operation successful noting that 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.
Tako disclosed that on Wednesday, 15th July, 2026 at about 2310hrs along Maiha -Wuro Alhaji axis custom operatives intercepted 144 Jerry Cans (25L each) and 1x220L Drum of PMS while on Tuesday, 21st July 2026 at about 2045hrs along Gurin-Turrah Axis, 9 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa (popularly known as Indian Hemp) packed into 9 packages were intercepted.
He said that on Tuesday, 9th June 2026 at about 2015hrs along Gudusu-Belal enroute 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 and 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”.
Tako announced that on Thursday, 23rd July, 2026 at about 1748hrs in Touyota Hiace bus conveying 220kgs of Pangolin Scales packed into 3 sacks, a total of 48 pieces of Ivory Tusks weighing 74kgs, concealed in 2 sacks, 534.55kgs of dried donkey meat and other items were intercepted along Yola-Numan Road.
‘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. Offenders will face the full wrath of the law and forfeiture of their assets.
“We strongly advise you to abandon illicit activities and embrace legitimate trade. The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to facilitating lawful trade, but we will relentlessly dismantle smuggling cartels operating within our jurisdiction to let the national economy thrive.
Compt. Tako assures that the seized donkey skins will be destroyed immediately in collaboration with relevant inter-agency partners, pursuant to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
