The Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has issued a stern warning to smugglers engaged in the illegal trafficking of Nigeria’s natural resources, declaring that those who persist will face the full force of the law.
The warning was delivered as officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, paraded a significant haul of seized contraband.
Speaking at a press briefing in Yola, the Area Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Aminu Tako, announced that within just four weeks the command intercepted 10 bales and two sacks of second-hand clothing alongside 50,495 litres of premium motor spirit.
The seizures were made across several flashpoints, including Mubi–Sahuda, Daware–Fufore, Fufore–Gurin, Wuro Bokki and the Ndaforo–Abong axis of Taraba State, with the Duty Paid Value of the goods estimated at ₦58,117,550.
Tako said smugglers and their collaborators had been given a final warning to abandon illegal activities, stressing that intelligence-led operations have been intensified across border routes and surrounding communities.
He emphasised that anyone found aiding or participating in smuggling would be prosecuted without compromise, as the Service remains determined to flush out economic saboteurs nationwide.
He commended the support of sister security agencies and praised officers of the command for their professionalism and dedication.
He also reaffirmed the Customs Service’s commitment to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests, enforcing compliance with customs laws and maintaining transparency through constructive engagement with the media.
Assuring the public of the Service’s resolve, Tako called for continued cooperation and urged citizens to report suspicious activities, noting that the fight against smuggling is critical to national security and economic prosperity.