The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi Area Command, has intensified its clampdown on smugglers with the interception of over 35,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), cannabis, and other banned items valued at ₦109.5 million.
Area Controller, Comptroller Mahmoud Ibrahim, made the disclosure on Wednesday during his maiden press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi. He said the seizures were made in collaboration with Operation Whirlwind, a special anti-smuggling task force of the Service.
According to him, the operation recorded the seizure of 14,750 litres of PMS valued at ₦8.85 million and an additional 20,975 litres worth ₦12.58 million in flashpoint areas including Bagudo, Tsamiya, Kamba, Lolo, Bunza, and Zuru/Mahakala.
“These interceptions underscore our unwavering commitment to safeguard national resources and protect the economy from sabotage,” Ibrahim said. “Fuel smuggling deprives the nation of vital revenue and poses serious safety risks.”
He commended the dedication of field officers, the Customs Intelligence Unit, and partner security agencies for their “resilience, synergy, and professionalism.” He added that the confiscated PMS would be auctioned in accordance with existing laws, with proceeds paid into the federal treasury.
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Speaking further, Ibrahim revealed that the Command generated ₦25.6 million in revenue in September; representing a 36.13 per cent increase compared to August.
He attributed the growth to stronger stakeholder engagement, improved border management, and closer cooperation with the Niger Republic through the Kamba border axis.
In addition to the fuel seizures, the Command confiscated 100 bales of second-hand clothing, 444 laptop-sized wraps of Cannabis Sativa, and 143 mini sacks of donkey meat.
Other seized items include 140 cartons of foreign spaghetti, 100 bags of parboiled rice, and 20 jerrycans of vegetable oil—all with a total value of ₦109,595,761.
“In line with inter-agency cooperation, we will hand over the donkey meat to the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) and the cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” he said.
The Area Controller, who assumed office in September, assured that the Command would sustain collaboration with security agencies and local stakeholders to combat cross-border crimes, strengthen intelligence sharing, and promote legitimate trade.
“Kebbi Command remains steadfast in addressing challenges and closing identified gaps,” he stated. “Through innovation and commitment, we’ll continue to safeguard the national economy and ensure security across our borders.”
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Meanwhile, similar operations by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Lagos, recently led to 125 interceptions of contraband goods worth ₦1.8 billion across Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, and Lagos States, according to the Customs Area Controller, Muhammed Shuaibu.
