The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Area Command has recorded seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N 1,018,971,728.02 billion between January and March 10, 2026, as part of intensified anti-smuggling operations across the two states.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing held at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano, where he highlighted several interceptions made through intelligence driven operations, coordinated patrols, and strategic surveillance across key routes and border corridors within Kano and Jigawa states.
Adamu explained that the enforcement activities were aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economy, safeguarding public health, preventing illicit cross border trade and blocking revenue leakages.
One of the earliest interceptions occurred on January 5 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport where Customs officers discovered undeclared foreign currencies in the possession of a passenger. The currencies included $106,500, 134,256 Saudi Riyals, 28 Chinese Yuan and 20 Ghana Cedis. The suspect failed to declare the funds in line with existing regulations, and the case was subsequently handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
In another operation on January 14, officers intercepted 1,447 pieces of smuggled used pneumatic tyres along the Yan Awaki area of the Eastern Bypass in Kano. The tyres, with a DPV of N28.2 million, were seized for violating import regulations.
The Command also recorded a major seizure on January 20 and 22 when officers intercepted two smuggled Dong Feng vehicles along the Kano-Hadejia Road and Maiduguri Road respectively. The vehicles had a combined DPV of N97.7 million. During inspection, officers discovered that one of the vehicles concealed six silver metal bars weighing 12.2 kilograms valued at N61 million.
Similarly, on February 18, an outbound passenger at the airport was intercepted with undeclared silver metal bars weighing 22.80 kilograms hidden in his baggage. According to the Acting Controller, the suspect failed to make the required declaration or present export documentation in line with the law. The suspect and the seized precious metals were handed over to the EFCC for further investigation.
Adamu further disclosed that the Command intercepted a Citroen bus along the Babura axis in Jigawa State carrying 35 bales of second-hand clothing with a DPV of N17.5 million, as well as 10 kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil valued at N84,742. The items were confiscated for violating provisions of the Common External Tariff and the Customs Act.
In another development, Customs officers intercepted a Howo truck head along the Katsina-Kano axis valued at N34.7 million after discovering that the vehicle was being moved using a forged temporary vehicle importation document, an offence that contravenes provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act.
The Command also intercepted another Howo truck at Ajiri Village in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State loaded with 2,765 cartons of smuggled foreign spaghetti valued at N49.7 million. The item is listed on the import prohibition list under the Common External Tariff.
One of the most major seizures during the period involved 503 master cartons of Pregabalin 300mg capsules, branded Nervigesic, intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) terminal of the airport. The shipment contained over 15 million capsules with a DPV of N729.9 million. The drugs were suspected to be fake pharmaceutical products as they lacked registration from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). The Command said the consignment would be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation and regulatory action.
In addition to smuggling related seizures, the Command also uncovered criminal activities linked to livestock theft and wildlife trafficking. Customs officers recovered two cows suspected to have been rustled along Gezawa Road in Kano and arrested two suspects who were subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.
Wildlife trafficking cases were also uncovered during the operations. Acting on intelligence reports, the Command intercepted a live lion cub within Kano metropolis and arrested two suspects. In a related development, officers seized one live pangolin and one dead pangolin around Na’ibawa Gidan Raga in Kano along with a suspect, while another live pangolin was intercepted along the Kano-Maiduguri Road on March 10. Adamu noted that the seizures violated the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), warning that illegal wildlife trade threatens biodiversity and ecological balance.
The Acting Controller said the Command would continue to strengthen collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs,Bashir Adewale Adeniyi which focuses on consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He also warned individuals involved in smuggling and other illegal activities to desist, stressing that the Command remains resolute in enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other relevant laws.
Adamu commended stakeholders, host communities and the media for their continued support and cooperation with the Command in carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
He further joined the global community in recognising the contributions of women as the world marked International Women’s Day 2026, encouraging greater support for women’s participation and contributions across sectors in line with the year’s theme, “Gift to Gain.”
The Acting Controller also urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the Service in combating illicit trade, noting that safeguarding the nation’s economy and security requires collective responsibility.
One Comment