The Kano–Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted smuggled items valued at over ₦1.01 billion in a series of anti-smuggling operations carried out between January 1 and March 10, 2026.
Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Usman Umar Adamu, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano, North West Nigeria.
He said the seizures were achieved through intelligence-driven operations, coordinated patrols, and strategic surveillance across key border corridors in Kano and Jigawa States, in collaboration with other security agencies.
According to Adamu, “the command recorded detentions and seizures of nine major items with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦1,018,971,728.02.”
Among the notable interceptions was the seizure of undeclared foreign currencies at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on January 5, including 106,500 US dollars, 134,256 Saudi Riyals, 28 Chinese Yuan, and 20 Ghana Cedis.
“On January 14, Customs operatives also intercepted 1,447 pieces of smuggled used tyres along the Yan Awaki Eastern Bypass in Kano with a DPV of ₦28.2 million.”
“Similarly, on January 20 and 22, officers intercepted two smuggled Dong Feng vehicles along Kano–Hadejia and Maiduguri roads valued at ₦97.7 million, one of which concealed six silver metal bars weighing 12.2 kilograms worth ₦61 million.”
In another incident on February 18, Adamu explained, an outbound passenger was intercepted at the airport with 22.8 kilograms of undeclared silver bars hidden in luggage.
The suspect and the precious metals were later handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.
Other seizures include 35 bales of second-hand clothing and 10 kegs of foreign vegetable oil, a Howo truck with forged temporary importation documents, and another Howo truck loaded with 2,765 cartons of smuggled spaghetti, all intercepted at different locations within the command’s area of responsibility.
The Kano-Jigawa Acting Area controller also intercepted 503 cartons of Pregabalin 300mg capsules (Nervigesic brand), amounting to over 15 million capsules, suspected to be fake pharmaceutical products without NAFDAC registration, with a DPV of ₦729.9 million at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) warehouse of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
Adamu handed over the seized drugs to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further investigation.
Wild Life:
In addition, Customs officers rescued a live lion cub, two pangolins (one dead), and intercepted two cows suspected to have been rustled, while several suspects were arrested and handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution.
The Acting Controller reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating economic sabotage and protecting Nigeria’s economy, urging members of the public to support Customs operations by providing credible information.
Meanwhile, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at NAFDAC, Dr Martins Iluyomade, commended the strong collaboration between the agency and the Nigeria Customs Service, describing it as crucial in protecting Nigerians from fake and counterfeit medicines.