The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Kano/Jigawa Area Command has disrupted several smuggling operations across Kano and Jigawa states, intercepting prohibited goods with a Duty Paid Value exceeding ₦1.01 billion within two months.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Command, Usman Adamu, disclosed this during his maiden press briefing at the Customs House in Bompai, Kano, on March 10, 2026.
Adamu said the seizures were the result of intelligence-driven operations, coordinated patrols and enhanced collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies. The interceptions, which occurred between January and early March 2026, involved undeclared foreign currencies, precious metals, smuggled vehicles, illicit pharmaceutical products and trafficked wildlife.
According to him, the enforcement actions were aimed at protecting the nation’s economy, safeguarding public health and preventing revenue losses caused by illicit cross-border trade.
“Our anti-smuggling operations are designed to protect the Nigerian economy, safeguard public health and prevent illicit trade that undermines legitimate businesses,” he said.
One of the major interceptions occurred at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, where customs officers discovered undeclared foreign currencies hidden in a passenger’s luggage. The funds included 106,500 United States dollars, 134,256 Saudi riyals, 28 Chinese yuan and 20 Ghanaian cedis.
In another case at the airport, officers intercepted an outbound passenger carrying about 22.8 kilograms of undeclared silver bars concealed in baggage without the required export documentation.
Adamu said the suspect, along with the recovered currencies and precious metals, had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Customs operatives also intercepted two smuggled Dongfeng vehicles along the Kano–Hadejia and Kano–Maiduguri highways. One of the vehicles was found to be transporting six silver metal bars weighing approximately 12.2 kilograms.
Further operations led to the seizure of 1,447 pieces of smuggled used pneumatic tyres along the Yan Awaki axis of the Eastern Bypass in Kano following actionable intelligence.
Along the Babura axis in Jigawa State, officers intercepted a Citroën bus conveying 35 bales of second-hand clothing and several kegs of foreign refined vegetable oil in violation of import restrictions.
Adamu also disclosed that officers intercepted a Howo truck head along the Katsina–Kano axis accompanied by forged temporary importation documents. Another Howo truck loaded with 2,765 cartons of smuggled foreign spaghetti was seized around Ajiri village in Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Command also recorded a major seizure involving illicit pharmaceutical products. According to Adamu, more than 15 million capsules of Pregabalin 300mg were intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company terminal of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
He said the products were suspected to be unregistered medicaments lacking approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), adding that the items would be handed over to the agency for further investigation.
Beyond contraband goods, the Command also recorded cases linked to livestock theft and wildlife trafficking. Customs officers intercepted two cows suspected to have been rustled along Gezawa Road in Kano and arrested two suspects, who were subsequently handed over to the police.
In another operation within Kano metropolis, officers rescued a live lion cub and arrested two suspects for illegal possession of the animal. Additional wildlife seizures included one live pangolin and a dead specimen around the Na’ibawa axis of Kano, as well as another live pangolin along the Kano–Maiduguri road.
Adamu noted that the wildlife interceptions were in line with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
He said the Command recorded seizures across nine major categories of prohibited items with a total Duty Paid Value exceeding ₦1.018 billion during the period under review.
The Acting Customs Area Controller reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which emphasises consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He warned individuals engaged in smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage to desist, stressing that the Command would intensify surveillance and enforcement operations within its jurisdiction.
“The Kano/Jigawa Area Command remains resolute in enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and other relevant laws. Anyone involved in illegal trade should desist immediately,” he said.
Adamu also commended stakeholders, host communities and the media for their continued support and urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist the Service in tackling illicit activities.
