The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a major enforcement success in the northeastern region, seizing a large cache of smuggled vehicles, petroleum products, wildlife products and used clothing with a duty-paid value exceeding ₦229 million during coordinated operations across Federal Operations Unit, Zone D.
The disclosure was made on Friday in Bauchi by Comptroller Abdullahi Ka’ila, head of the NCS Federal Operations Unit, Zone D, during a press briefing in the state capital on the heels of a series of intelligence-driven patrols targeting illicit trade routes.
According to Comptroller Ka’ila, the latest seizures represent a robust response to ongoing smuggling activities that undermine Nigeria’s economic stability, public health and local industries. He emphasised that credible intelligence, meticulous surveillance and coordinated enforcement were central to the success of the operation.
“These operations were executed with professionalism and precision, resulting in the interception of several prohibited items suspected to have been smuggled into the country through unapproved routes,” Ka’ila said, highlighting the unit’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s economy and security.
Among the contraband and vehicles intercepted were: One Toyota Urban Cruiser (2026 model), two Toyota Corolla Cross (2025 models), one Citroën Jumper bus and one Peugeot Boxer used as conveyance vehicles, 14,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 283 fresh donkey skins and 102 sacks of fried donkey meat, and several bales and sacks of imported second-hand clothing.
The total value of the seized items stood at ₦229,422,669, reflecting significant disruption to smuggling networks within the unit’s area of responsibility.
In addition to customs enforcement, the seized donkey skins and meat were formally handed over to the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further investigation and proper disposal, underscoring inter-agency cooperation on environmental protection and wildlife preservation.
Responding to the handover, Yahaya Adamu, Bauchi State Coordinator of NESREA, commended the customs personnel for their efforts in curbing illegal wildlife trade, stressing the importance of proper handling of animal specimens under environmental regulations. He urged communities to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities as part of a collective responsibility to protect endangered species and uphold environmental laws.
Comptroller Ka’ila used the occasion to warn that smuggling poses grave threats to Nigeria’s economic and security interests, arguing that the illegal importation of goods not only robs the government of revenue but also weakens local industries.
He also appealed to members of the public and stakeholders to support the Nigeria Customs Service with credible information, emphasising that community cooperation remains essential in the fight against contraband and economic sabotage.
The NCS’s sustained operations in Bauchi and surrounding states align with a broader national drive to curb smuggling and protect legitimate trade, a challenge that has seen intensified enforcement actions across multiple commands in recent months.
