Nigeria Customs Service, seizes over 50,000 Litres of Smuggled PMS, 2nd-hand Clothing

By  Yagana Ali Yola.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, has seized a significant quantity of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and secondhand clothing in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted between December 2025 and January 2026.

Addressing a press conference at the Customs House in Yola, Comptroller MA Tako, the Area Controller, revealed that the seizures were made in six separate operations, resulting in the confiscation of approximately 50,495 litres of PMS, alongside 10 bales and 2 sacks of secondhand clothing. 

The seized goods have an aggregate Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N58,117,550.00.

The seizures were made at various locations, including Mubi-Sahuda, Daware-Fufore, Fufore-Gurin, and Ndaforo-Abong axes, and involved the interception of vehicles conveying the smuggled goods. 

The Customs Service has attributed the success to the effective collaboration with sister security agencies and the strategic leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

Comptroller Tako warned smugglers and their collaborators to desist from illegal activities, stating that the Service has intensified intelligence-led operations across all routes and border communities. He emphasized that anyone found engaging in smuggling or aiding and abetting such acts will face the full weight of the law without compromise.

The Nigeria Customs Service cited sections 150, 245, and 246 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, which empower the Service to prevent the illegal exportation of PMS, detain, seize, and condemn smuggled goods, and deal with forfeiture of smuggled goods, including Petroleum Products moved contrary to extant laws.

The Service expressed appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs and the management team for their support and leadership, as well as the media for their objective reportage in promoting transparency and public enlightenment.

-items seized include 410 Jerry Cans of PMS (25 litres and 30 litres each) on 12 December, 2025, 362 Jerry Cans of PMS (25 litres each) on 16 December, 2025

 330 Jerry Cans of PMS (25 litres each) on 31 December, 2025

Others include, 10 bales and 2 sacks of secondhand clothing on 31 December, 2025 and 141 Jerry Cans of PMS (25 litres each) and one drum of 220 Litres on 5 January, 2026 and 625 Jerry Cans of PMS (30 litres each) on 10 January, 2026