The Kano/Jigawa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted smuggled goods with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1.018 billion between January 1 and March 10, 2026, as part of its intensified anti-smuggling operations.

The command’s acting area controller, Umar Adamu, disclosed this yesterday during his maiden press briefing in Kano,

He said the seizures were made through intelligence-driven operations, coordinated patrols and surveillance along major smuggling routes across Kano and Jigawa states.

Adamu said the enforcement activities were aimed at protecting the nation’s economy, preventing revenue leakages and safeguarding public health from harmful products.

He said the most significant interception during the period was 503 master cartons of Pregabalin 300mg (Nervigesic brand) containing over 15 million capsules with a DPV of N729.9 million, seized at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company facility of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

According to him, the pharmaceutical products were suspected to be fake and lacked registration from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Other seizures recorded by the command include 1,447 pieces of used pneumatic tyres valued at N28.2 million, two smuggled Dong Feng vehicles worth N97.7 million, and silver metal bars weighing 12.2kg valued at N61 million concealed in one of the vehicles.

The command also intercepted a Howo truck conveying 2,765 cartons of foreign spaghetti valued at N49.7 million, a truck head with forged temporary vehicle importation documents worth N34.7 million, as well as 35 bales of second-hand clothing and kegs of vegetable oil along the Babura axis in Jigawa State.

Adamu further disclosed that undeclared foreign currencies, including 106,500 US dollars and 134,256 Saudi Riyals, were intercepted at the airport, while suspects linked to the offence had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation.

The command also intercepted wildlife species, including a lion cub and pangolins, in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora regulations.

He added that suspects arrested in connection with the seizures have been handed over to relevant security agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution

Receiving the seized drugs, NAFDAC’s Director of Investigation and Enforcement, Dr Martins Iluyomade, said the operation saved millions of Nigerians from consuming counterfeit medicines and commended the customs command for strengthening inter-agency collaboration in the fight against illicit trade.