Customs Vows to Tackle Smuggling Along Nigeria–Cameroon Border.

By Alhassan Haladu Yola.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling smuggling activities across the Nigeria–Cameroon border to strengthen national security and boost economic growth.

The Controller of Customs, Adamawa/Taraba Command, Comptroller Garba B. Bashir, stated this while briefing journalists at the Command’s headquarters in Yola.

He disclosed that within a period of six weeks, the Command made 29 seizures with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦112,590,000, following a series of intelligence-driven operations along various border flashpoints.

According to him, the seizures were recorded at the Mubi–Sahuda axis, Girei–Wuro Bokki axis, Jamtari–Farang/Belel axis, Wuro Alhaji, Damare bank, Gurin–Fufore axis, and Yerima road in Gembu.

The confiscated items include 20,600 litres of petrol packed in 824 jerry cans, 91 cartons of expired Tramadol capsules (50mg), 54 cartons of foreign soaps, and 64 pieces of complete raw donkey skins intended for illegal export.

Comptroller Bashir explained that the expired Tramadol was intercepted on 30th August 2025 in Mubi during a coordinated operation by the enforcement unit. He said the interception prevented a potential health disaster, as the drugs could have caused “high morbidity, mortality, and increased drug abuse among the youth.”

He cited World Health Organization (WHO) data indicating that over one million people globally die annually from consuming substandard or falsified medicines, with Africa bearing the highest burden.

The Customs boss stated that the seized drugs, in line with Section 55 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, would be handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action and eventual destruction.

He also revealed that the 64 raw donkey skins were seized on 30th September 2025 at Damare River bank, Adamawa State. The items, he said, were being prepared for illegal export to Cameroon in violation of Schedule 6 (Export Prohibition List) of the Common External Tariff (CET) and Section 150 of the NCS Act, 2023.

“The illicit slaughter of donkeys for export is threatening the species with extinction. Our operatives acted swiftly to stop the perpetrators,” Bashir said.

Additionally, the Command intercepted 54 cartons of foreign soaps on 3rd October 2025 along Damare River bank. He said the importation of such products contravenes the Import Prohibition List—Schedule 3 (CET 2022–2026, Serial No. 16) and Section 233 of the NCS Act, 2023.

Bashir further announced that the seized petrol would be auctioned to the public in line with operational procedures, and the proceeds remitted to the Federation Account.

He emphasized the Command’s ongoing collaboration with border communities and other security agencies to curb smuggling through intelligence sharing and dialogue.

“We engage regularly with border communities to discourage participation in smuggling. The Command remains resolute in dismantling smuggling networks within Adamawa and Taraba states,” he stated.

The Controller also commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team for providing an enabling environment for effective operations, as well as other Customs units and security agencies for their support.

He urged the media to continue sensitizing the public on the dangers of smuggling to Nigeria’s economy and national security.