Nigerian Customs busts wildlife trafficking, petrol smuggling ring, seizes N362m contraband

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has intercepted endangered wildlife products, smuggled petrol and other prohibited items with a cumulative Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦362.2 million.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Tako, disclosed this on Wednesday during a news conference in Yola.

Mr Tako said the seizures resulted from intelligence-led operations conducted across strategic routes within the command over the past six weeks.

He said the operations were aimed at protecting the economy, curbing cross-border smuggling and dismantling criminal networks operating within Adamawa and Taraba states.

“The command intercepted 64 raw donkey skins, 534.55 kilogrammes of dried donkey meat, 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales and 74 kilogrammes of ivory tusks.

“Our operatives also seized 25,295 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in 1,003 jerrycans and one 220-litre drum.

“The command also intercepted a DAF low-bed truck conveying a Sanny motor grader allegedly being illegally exported to the Republic of Chad,” Mr Tako said.

He added that officers seized nine kilogrammes of cannabis sativa and a Toyota Hiace bus allegedly used to convey some of the prohibited items.

According to him, the cumulative Duty Paid Value of all the seized items was ₦362,204,543.91.

Mr Tako said five suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures and would be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.

The comptroller said the operations were carried out in accordance with relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

He warned smugglers to abandon illegal activities, stressing that the service would sustain its crackdown on petroleum smuggling, wildlife trafficking and other economic crimes.

Mr Tako said the seized donkey skins would be destroyed in collaboration with relevant agencies, in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to facilitating legitimate trade while intensifying efforts to dismantle smuggling networks operating within Adamawa and Taraba states.

Mr Tako commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, the service’s management, sister security agencies and officers of the command for their support and professionalism.