Customs Seizes N79.8m Smuggled Goods In Adamawa

The Nigeria Customs Service has seized 16,825 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 266 luggage of international rice and different suspected smuggled items valued at N79.86 million in Adamawa State.

The Adamawa and Taraba Area Command mentioned the seizures had been made throughout two months of intensified anti-smuggling operations concentrating on unlawful routes and recognized smuggling hotspots throughout the command.

Speaking at a press convention in Yola on Friday, the Area Comptroller, Mohammed Tako, mentioned the confiscated gadgets included international bar cleaning soap, second-hand clothes and a Mitsubishi Canter truck allegedly used to move contraband.

Tako mentioned officers intercepted 374 jerrycans of petrol, every containing 25 litres, alongside a bush path in Sahuda, close to the Nigeria-Cameroon border, within the early hours of August 20, 2026.

On September 14, officers intercepted a Mitsubishi Canter truck with registration quantity XB 566 GML alongside the Wuro Alhaji-Maiha axis at about 8.10pm, following intelligence stories.

The truck was carrying 116 luggage of international parboiled rice, every weighing 50 kilogrammes, and 50 cartons of international cleaning soap.

Another operation on September 21 led to the invention of 299 jerrycans of petrol, every containing 25 litres, alongside an unapproved route on the Belel-Goshidan axis. Tako mentioned the merchandise had been meant to be smuggled out of Nigeria.

He added that on October 2, officers seized 150 luggage of international parboiled rice weighing 50 kilogrammes every, 20 luggage of native maize weighing 100 kilogrammes every, and 11 bales and 5 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothes alongside a bush path on the Maiha-Mubi axis.

The comptroller mentioned officers additionally found 451 cartons of international bar cleaning soap stockpiled within the bush alongside the financial institution of the River Benue throughout the operations.

According to him, the suspected smugglers deserted the products and fled into the bush when customs officers intervened.

“Confronted by the swift intervention of our officers, the suspects abandoned the contraband and fled into the bush,” he mentioned.

Tako put the overall seizures at 673 jerrycans of petrol, amounting to 16,825 litres; 501 cartons of international bar cleaning soap; 266 luggage of international parboiled rice; 11 bales and 5 jumbo sacks of second-hand clothes; and one truck.

He mentioned the gadgets had a mixed Duty Paid Value of N79,857,500.

The comptroller mentioned the seizures had been made below the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, together with provisions referring to prohibited items and enforcement, in addition to Schedule 3 of the Common External Tariff, which comprises the import prohibition checklist.

He urged group leaders to help customs officers and different safety businesses by offering info and cooperating with efforts to curb smuggling.

Tako mentioned the command remained dedicated to strengthening anti-smuggling operations and facilitating professional commerce in step with nationwide financial targets.