The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, has intercepted prohibited goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N273.7 million in a major crackdown on smuggling activities within its area of responsibility.
The seizures, which include imported vegetable oil, used tyres, second-hand clothing and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), were unveiled on Wednesday by the Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Momodu Dauda, during a press briefing in Calabar.
Dauda said the interceptions were made during routine anti-smuggling operations aimed at enforcing government trade policies, protecting local industries and safeguarding the nation’s economy from illicit trade.
The Customs Area Controller disclosed that one of the most significant seizures occurred on June 14, 2026, when operatives intercepted a truck conveying two 20-foot containers loaded with foreign refined vegetable oil along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway.
According to him, a thorough examination of the containers revealed 1,996 kegs of refined vegetable oil, each containing 25 litres, with a Duty Paid Value of N195.5 million.
“On Sunday, 14th June 2026, at about 1800 hours, our patrol team along the Odukpani-Calabar Highway intercepted a truck conveying two 20ft containers laden with foreign refined vegetable oil,” he said.
Used Tyres, Second-Hand Clothing Also Seized
In addition to the vegetable oil, the Command intercepted 1,500 imported used tyres of various brands and 105 jumbo-sized rolls of second-hand clothing.
The seized tyres have a Duty Paid Value of N61.4 million, while the second-hand clothing was valued at over N15.6 million.
Dauda explained that the items fall under the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List and are therefore not permitted into the country.
The Command also recorded another seizure earlier on Wednesday when officers intercepted about 800 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
The latest interception brings the total quantity of PMS seized by the Command this year to approximately 5,760 litres.
The Area Controller noted that due to the highly combustible nature of the product, the seized fuel had already been disposed of in line with established safety procedures.
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Dauda said the importation of the seized items contravenes existing trade regulations and undermines the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen local industries and promote economic growth.
“These items are listed under the Federal Government’s Import Prohibition List and are therefore not eligible for importation into Nigeria,” he stated.
He explained that the restrictions are designed to protect public health, preserve environmental standards, encourage domestic industrial development and shield local manufacturers from unfair competition.
According to him, the prohibitions also support the government’s broader economic agenda of promoting local production while preserving legitimate trade.
Customs Warns Smugglers
The Area Controller warned individuals and groups involved in smuggling activities to desist from acts of economic sabotage, stressing that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence-driven operations to combat illicit trade.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade and protecting Nigeria’s economic interests.
“The importation of prohibited items undermines local industries, threatens economic growth and violates extant trade regulations. For this reason, the Nigeria Customs Service remains fully committed to ensuring strict compliance with government trade policies and safeguarding our borders against illicit trade,” he said.
Dauda attributed the Command’s successes to the leadership and operational support of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
He noted that ongoing reforms under the Comptroller-General have strengthened intelligence gathering, enforcement operations and professionalism across Customs formations nationwide.
He also appealed to members of the public to support the Service with credible and timely information that would aid efforts to curb smuggling and protect the nation’s economy.
The total Duty Paid Value of all items seized by the Command stands at N273,676,021.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.