The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted smuggled petroleum products, donkey skins, and other contraband worth ₦98.375 million across Adamawa and Taraba states within six weeks.
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The Area Controller, Assistant Comptroller General Aminu Tako, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Wednesday, attributing the seizures to sustained intelligence-led operations aimed at curbing smuggling and safeguarding the economy.
He said the interceptions were made at different locations across the two states.
“On February 26, 2026, at about 1310hrs, officers intercepted 43 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothing, as well as five cartons and 12 packages of Viagra 200mg tablets along the Savannah-Numan axis,” he said.
Tako added that on March 12, 2026, operatives seized 509 pieces of raw donkey skins and 460kg of dried donkey meat along the Mubi-Sangere axis.
He further disclosed that on March 13, 2026, officers intercepted 110 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), each containing 25 litres, along the Likitaba-Gembu axis in Taraba State.
According to him, additional seizures included 520 jerrycans of PMS and 112 jerrycans of Automotive Gas Oil along the Mubi-Sahuda axis on March 15, as well as 482 jerrycans of PMS along the Maiha-Belel axis on March 17.
He said the latest interception occurred on April 11, 2026, when officers seized 176 jerrycans and three 220-litre drums of PMS along the Toungo-Ganye axis.
“In total, 1,288 jerrycans and three drums containing approximately 32,860 litres of PMS, alongside 2,800 litres of AGO and other items listed, were seized with an aggregate Duty Paid Value of ₦98,375,325,” Tako stated.
He explained that the seizures were carried out in line with provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which empowers the agency to prevent illegal exportation and confiscate smuggled goods.
The Area Controller warned that smuggling of petroleum products, wildlife, and unregistered pharmaceuticals poses serious threats to national security, public health, and economic stability.
“There will be zero tolerance for such illegal acts under my command. Offenders will face seizure of goods, arrest, and prosecution without exception,” he said.
Tako urged those involved in illicit trade to embrace legitimate business, stressing that the Service remains committed to facilitating lawful trade while cracking down on smuggling networks.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and other security agencies for their collaboration in enhancing operational success.
Border communities in Adamawa and Taraba states have long been identified as major routes for smuggling activities due to their proximity to international borders and difficult terrain.
In recent years, the Nigeria Customs Service has intensified surveillance and enforcement operations to curb the illegal movement of petroleum products, which are often smuggled out of Nigeria to neighbouring countries for higher profits.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the NCS carried out a public auction of 43,750 litres of PMS intercepted along the Niger/Kwara axis as part of its intensified enforcement under Operation Whirlwind.
Speaking during the exercise held on Wednesday in Ilorin, the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, said the seizure was carried out following credible intelligence aimed at disrupting illegal petroleum distribution networks.
Aliyu disclosed that the operation led to the interception of 1,510 jerry-cans of 25 litres each and 30 drums of 200 litres, amounting to a total volume of 43,750 litres, with an estimated duty paid value of N43.75 million.
He explained that the products were intercepted across multiple flashpoints, including Kaiama, Shiya, Kenu, Boriya, Luma, Bokuru-Baruten, Ilesha-Baruba, Taberu and Salla-Gwanara, areas identified as active smuggling routes.
He stated, “The success of the operation highlights the commitment of security agencies to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and preventing the diversion of petroleum products meant for domestic consumption.
“Smuggling of petroleum products is a serious act of economic sabotage. It deprives the nation of revenue, disrupts supply chains, and leads to scarcity and high costs that place an unnecessary burden on law-abiding Nigerians.”
He added that “such illegal activities also embolden criminal networks and pose threats to national security,” stressing that Operation Whirlwind remains determined to dismantle such syndicates.
Aliyu commended the Office of the National Security Adviser under Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for providing strategic direction and intelligence support, noting that the collaboration has strengthened enforcement efforts.
He also acknowledged the role of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority for its technical support, as well as the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for backing the operation.
Issuing a stern warning to smugglers, Aliyu declared that “security agencies would no longer tolerate illegal dealings in petroleum products.
“The era of impunity is over. We will continue to identify, pursue and dismantle smuggling networks wherever they operate,” he added.
Several 25litres of Petroleum products seized by Operation Whirlwind in the North Central zone. Photo: Customs
He urged residents of border communities to support security agencies with timely and credible information, describing public cooperation as critical to winning the fight against smuggling.
Aliyu noted that “the public auction of the seized PMS reflects the agency’s commitment to transparency and accountability in handling confiscated products.”
Also speaking, the Acting Customs Area Controller for Kwara Command, Deputy Comptroller Najeem Ogundeyi, praised the synergy between Operation Whirlwind and other security agencies, attributing recent successes to effective intelligence sharing and collaboration.
He called for sustained support from stakeholders and partner agencies, “emphasising that joint efforts remain key to safeguarding the nation’s economy and ensuring compliance with existing laws.”
The Customs Service reaffirmed its resolve to strengthen surveillance and enforcement across border areas as part of ongoing measures to curb fuel smuggling and protect Nigeria’s strategic resources.
Recall that in February, the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘D’ intercepted various contraband items, including a car, petroleum products and live endangered animals.
The Comptroller of the unit, Abdullahi Ka’ila, disclosed that the intercepted items include a Mercedes-Benz ML350 4Matic (2015 model) along the Abuja–Nasarawa axis, suspected to have been smuggled; 612 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (25 litres each), totaling 15,300 litres, seized in Mubi, Adamawa State; 33 cartons of foreign soap confiscated in Mubi for non-compliance with import regulations; and five live pangolins rescued in Taraba State.
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