The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested six suspects and seized smuggled items valued at over N1 billion in duty-paid value (DPV), officials confirmed.
Acting Area Controller Usman Adamu disclosed the development while handing over seized goods to relevant agencies. Among the items were undeclared foreign currencies, pharmaceutical products, and wildlife specimens, which were respectively handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
Adamu said the seizures, recorded between January 1 and March 10, 2026, followed intelligence-led operations, coordinated patrols, and surveillance along major border corridors in Kano and Jigawa states. “The suspects are currently under investigation, and our operations aim to ensure strict compliance with import regulations,” he said.
Notable interceptions included:
Undeclared foreign currencies totaling 106,500 US dollars, 134,256 Saudi riyals, 28 Chinese yuan, and 20 Ghanaian cedis at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport on January 5.
1,447 used pneumatic tyres along Yan Awaki Eastern Bypass, Kano, with a DPV of N28.2 million.
Two Dong Feng vehicles carrying six silver bars weighing 12.2 kilograms, with a combined DPV of about N97.7 million, intercepted along Kano–Hadejia and Maiduguri roads.
Silver bars totaling 22.8 kilograms discovered in baggage of an outbound passenger on February 18.
35 bales of second-hand clothing and 10 kegs of refined vegetable oil intercepted on the Babura axis of Jigawa, valued at over N17 million.
2,765 cartons of imported spaghetti, prohibited under import regulations, seized along Ajiri Village axis in Ungogo, Kano.
503 master cartons of unregistered Pregabalin capsules at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company terminal, valued at approximately N729.9 million, handed over to NAFDAC.
Wildlife specimens, including a live lion cub and pangolins, seized in Kano metropolis and handed over to NESREA.
Two cows suspected to be stolen, intercepted along Gezawa Road, Kano, with suspects handed to the police.
Adamu warned that individuals involved in smuggling would face stringent enforcement under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023. “We remain committed to protecting the country’s borders and ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations,” he stated.
Receiving the seized pharmaceuticals on behalf of NAFDAC, Director of Investigation and Enforcement Martins Iluyomade praised the customs officials for their vigilance and assured that the agency would investigate the products and take appropriate regulatory action.
