Nigeria Custom Service, Adamawa/Taraba Area Command has seized items valued at N71.7 million between August and September from suspected smugglers.

The Custom Area Comptroller, Garba Bashir, made this known on Thursday in Yola while briefing journalists on the anti-smuggling drive of the command in Yola.

Mr Bashir said the seized items include 1,115 Jerry cans of 25 litres capacity each and 26 drums of 220 litres capacity each filled with petrol totaling 33,595 litres intended to be smuggled into the Republic of Cameroon.

Other items listed by Mr Bashir include three vehicles being used by the suspected smugglers, 200 bags of foreign flour, 50 kg each, 57 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 50 kg each, and 10 bales of second-hand clothing.

“It is worthy to note that the PMS showcased here today were apprehended from various borderlines in Adamawa and Taraba states. Items will be auctioned to the general public immediately due to their inflammable nature in accordance with the NCS Act 2023 and standard operating procedures,” Mr Bashir said.

He charged the officers to be vigilant and remain fully committed to the ongoing fight against all forms of smuggling activities within the confines of the law.

He also advised smugglers to understand that their activities are sabotage to economic development and urged them to embrace legitimate business.

“We will not relent in this fight against illegal trade until we bring smuggling activities to ground zero in Adamawa and Taraba states,” he said.

He further solicited continued support of security agencies and concerned citizens by providing credible intelligence information regarding smuggling to the command.

(NAN)