Customs intercepts fake drugs, $106,000, other contraband worth N1bn in Kano, Jigawa

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano–Jigawa Area Command, says it intercepted smuggled items worth over N1.01 billion between January and March 2026. The Acting Area Comptroller of the command, Usman Umar Adamu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Kano. Adamu said the seizures were recorded between January 1 and March 10, 2026, through intelligence-driven […]

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano–Jigawa Area Command, says it intercepted smuggled items worth over N1.01 billion between January and March 2026.

The Acting Area Comptroller of the command, Usman Umar Adamu, disclosed this during a press briefing in Kano.

Adamu said the seizures were recorded between January 1 and March 10, 2026, through intelligence-driven operations, coordinated patrols and surveillance across key border routes in Kano and Jigawa states.

He said the operations were aimed at protecting Nigeria’s economy, safeguarding public health and preventing revenue leakages.

According to him, among the major interceptions was $106,500, 134,256 Saudi riyals, 28 Chinese yuan and 20 Ghana cedis in undeclared foreign currencies at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The acting comptroller said the command also intercepted 1,447 pieces of smuggled used pneumatic tyres valued at over N28.2 million along the Nyang’awaki area of the Kano eastern bypass.

He further disclosed that two smuggled Dongfeng vehicles with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N97.7 million were seized along the Kano–Hadejia and Maiduguri routes.

“One of the vehicles was found to contain silver metal bars weighing 12.2 kilograms with a DPV of about N61 million,” he said.

Adamu added that another outbound passenger was intercepted at the airport with 22.8 kilograms of silver metal bars concealed in his luggage without proper declaration.

He said the suspect and the seized currencies and precious metals had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation.

Other seizures recorded by the command include 2,765 cartons of smuggled spaghetti, second-hand clothing, vegetable oil and a truck with a forged temporary vehicle importation permit.

The command also intercepted 503 cartons of Pregabalin capsules, amounting to over 15 million tablets, suspected to be fake pharmaceutical products without registration from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Adamu said the drugs, valued at N729.9 million, were discovered at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company terminal at the Kano airport.

He noted that the medicaments would be handed over to NAFDAC for further investigation.

The command also recorded wildlife-related interceptions, including a live lion cub and pangolins, suspected to have been smuggled in violation of international wildlife protection laws.

According to him, the lion cub has been handed over to wildlife conservationists for rehabilitation, while suspects connected with the cases are under investigation.

“In total, the command recorded seizures and detentions of nine major items with a combined DPV of N1,018,971,728.02 within the period under review,” he said.

Adamu warned individuals involved in smuggling and other illegal trade activities to desist, noting that the command would continue to strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations in the region.

He also commended stakeholders, host communities and the media for supporting the command’s operations.

Meanwhile, the Director of Investigation and Enforcement at National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Martins Iluyomade, praised the customs service for the seizure of the suspected fake drugs.

Iluyomade said the interception of over 15 million tablets had prevented millions of Nigerians from consuming potentially harmful medicines.

“About 15 million Nigerians have just been saved from consuming fake and counterfeit medicines that could have entered the market,” he said.

He said the growing collaboration between NAFDAC and the customs service was helping to curb the circulation of fake and dangerous products in the country.