News Rendezvous

Yola, Nigeria

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Adamawa/Taraba Area Command has turned up the heat in its war against smugglers, delivering another crushing blow with 28 high-profile seizures in just three weeks — goods worth a staggering ₦33,994,900.From illicit petroleum runs to dangerous industrial chemicals, the command is making it crystal clear: smugglers will not breathe easy in Adamawa and Taraba.

A Relentless Campaign With No Off SwitchAddressing the press on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Customs House, Yola, Area Controller Comptroller GB Bashir recalled the command’s unbroken streak of anti-smuggling victories this year — each one building on the last.

“Smugglers are warned and advised to stay clear of such dastardly acts, else they will face the full weight of the law,” Bashir declared, his voice cutting through the room.

“We are ensuring they will not enjoy fresh air here in Adamawa and Taraba States, and indeed the entire country.”

The latest haul includes 36,435 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) concealed in 1,194 jerry cans and drums, intercepted in treacherous terrains and well-known smuggling flashpoints — Likitatba–Gembu, Mubi–Sahuda, Malabu–Belel, Girei–Wuro Bokki, Ganye–Toungo, and Damare/Gurin–Fufore.

The seized petroleum products will be auctioned immediately after the briefing, with proceeds going into the Federation Account, as mandated by the NCS Act, 2023.

Toxic Chemicals Off the StreetsIn a separate development, Bashir announced that 8 drums and 35 jerry cans of Dichloromethane (a deadly substance known locally as ‘suck and die’) will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further action.

These dangerous chemicals were among items showcased in a previous press briefing in March, further proving the Command’s long-term commitment to inter-agency collaboration.Zero Tolerance for Attacks on Customs OfficersThe Area Controller condemned recent mob attacks on Customs operatives, stressing that such assaults will not deter the Service from carrying out its statutory duties.“You are not just fighting us,” Bashir warned the perpetrators.

“You are fighting the nation itself — inviting insecurity, insurgency, and economic collapse.”A Message to Genuine Traders: We’re With YouWhile smugglers feel the squeeze, the Command reassures law-abiding traders and petroleum marketers that legitimate business is safe under Customs protection.

“This fight is against the illicit traders and economic saboteurs,” Bashir said.

“We are here to facilitate lawful trade, not hinder it.”The Bigger PictureBacked by advanced logistics, technology, and intelligence-sharing with sister agencies, the Adamawa/Taraba Command has become one of Nigeria’s most aggressive anti-smuggling forces — consistently dismantling smuggling rings, intercepting contraband, and cutting off supply chains before they can harm the economy.

The message from Comptroller Bashir’s Command is unmissable: this war on smuggling is not ending anytime soon and smugglers in Adamawa and Taraba should brace themselves for more sleepless nights.