Kano/Jigawa Customs intercepts N2.159bn smuggled goods

Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, says it has intercepted and detained smuggled and prohibited goods with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦2.159 billion in the last two months.

Also, the Command recorded significant progress in revenue generation, with its year-to-date collection standing at ₦88.925 billion, compared with ₦63.079 billion recorded during its half-year briefing.

The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Usman Adamu, disclosed this on Friday, September 4, 2026, during a press briefing at the Customs House, Bompai, Kano.

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Adamu said the seizures were part of the Command’s sustained enforcement operations aimed at curbing smuggling, protecting the economy and national security, and ensuring compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.

He said the Command generated more than ₦14 billion in July 2026, describing it as the highest monthly revenue collection in the history of the Command.

On enforcement, Adamu listed several items intercepted by the Command, including 1,491 cartons of foreign spaghetti with a DPV of ₦38.74 million and 2,928 packs of foreign macaroni valued at ₦280.73 million.

Other seizures included 35 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 19 bags of expired foreign parboiled rice, 3,000 jerry cans of foreign refined and packaged vegetable oil valued at ₦431.85 million, and 514 cartons of assorted soaps valued at ₦38.07 million.

The Command also intercepted eight suspected diverted transit truck heads with a DPV of ₦300.91 million and seven smuggled vehicles valued at ₦410.54 million.

Adamu disclosed that Customs officers also intercepted 712,690 tablets of unregistered pharmaceutical products, alongside 17,470 vials and ampoules.

He said the pharmaceutical products had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action.

A major highlight of the enforcement operations, according to the Acting Controller, was the interception of 48 endangered wildlife species on August 25, 2026.

The animals comprised 15 primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas and bush babies; four wild cats, including civet and caracal cats; 25 wild birds; two albino crocodiles and a honey badger.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with the wildlife trafficking and handed over to the Special Wildlife Office at the Customs headquarters for further investigation.

Adamu described the seizure as potentially the largest and most diverse single wildlife seizure in the history of the Nigeria Customs Service and possibly the West African sub-region.

He said the interception demonstrated the Command’s determination to protect Nigeria’s biodiversity and enforce international obligations as well as relevant provisions of the NCS Act 2023.

The Command also seized 6,072 counterfeit agro-packaging materials valued at ₦1.82 million and five 40-foot diverted transit containers with a DPV of ₦645.16 million.

Two suspects were further intercepted with 993.9 metres of vandalised high-voltage aluminium conductors, valued at ₦2.88 million. Adamu said the suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further action.

On anti-money laundering operations, the Acting Controller said Customs officers intercepted undeclared foreign currencies above the permissible threshold.

The currencies comprised $73,300, £15,975 and 827,800 Saudi Riyals.
He said the currencies and two suspects were handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, for further investigation.

Adamu also raised concern over the use of government service official plate numbers on some smuggled vehicles, allegedly as an attempt to evade Customs control.

He warned that the Command would continue to monitor and take action against such practices.
The Acting Controller urged legitimate traders to comply with Customs laws and procedures,

assuring them that the Command would continue to support lawful businesses through trade facilitation initiatives, including the Authorized Economic Operator scheme, Advance Ruling and One Stop Shop.

He said the Command remained committed to balancing enforcement with the promotion of legitimate trade, stressing that compliance would reduce delays and create greater predictability for businesses.

Adamu commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the management team for their support, while also appreciating Customs officers, sister security agencies, stakeholders and the media for their cooperation.

He assured that the Kano/Jigawa Area Command would build on its achievements through professionalism, vigilance, collaboration, and strict adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.