The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced plans to strengthen border enforcement in Adamawa and Taraba states, with its new Acting Area Controller, Mamman Ali, promising to prioritise the arrest and prosecution of suspected smugglers.
Ali made the announcement on Monday, November 2, 2026, during a handover ceremony in Yola, where he formally assumed leadership of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command.
He said the command would place greater emphasis on intelligence gathering, coordinated security operations and identifying individuals behind illegal cross-border trade.
New Customs Controller Prioritises Arrests and Prosecutions
Ali expressed dissatisfaction with enforcement operations that resulted in large seizures of prohibited goods without corresponding arrests.
He said officers would be expected to pursue suspected offenders and ensure that cases supported by sufficient evidence were taken through the appropriate legal processes.
According to him, the command must move beyond confiscating contraband to identifying those responsible for organising and financing smuggling activities.
He maintained that effective investigations and prosecution would help discourage repeated violations of customs regulations.
Intelligence and Technology to Strengthen Border Security
The acting controller said his administration would rely more heavily on intelligence-led operations rather than traditional patrols and roadside checks alone.
He identified technology, information sharing and cooperation with other security agencies as important tools for improving border surveillance.
Ali said his leadership would follow the Customs Service’s policy direction of consolidation, innovation and collaboration.
He also identified professionalism, discipline, integrity and accountability as the principles that would guide officers under his command.
The controller warned that corruption, negligence and misconduct would not be tolerated.
Customs Seeks Cooperation From Border Communities
Ali appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of border settlements to provide credible information that could assist officers in identifying illegal trading activities.
He said cooperation between Customs personnel and local communities would strengthen efforts to detect suspicious movements and prevent the transportation of prohibited goods.
The acting controller also promised closer collaboration with other security agencies through joint operations and intelligence sharing.
He commended his predecessor, Mohammed Tako, for his service and pledged to build on the command’s previous achievements.
Outgoing Controller Reports ₦530.97m Worth of Seizures
Presenting his operational report, Tako disclosed that the command intercepted goods with a combined Duty Paid Value of ₦530.97 million during his tenure.
Tako, who assumed leadership on December 9, 2025, said the seizures included 103,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, and nine kilogrammes of cannabis.
Other confiscated products included 74 kilogrammes of ivory tusks, 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales and 64 raw donkey skins.
Customs officers also intercepted 266 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 501 cartons of foreign bar soaps, second-hand clothing and vehicles allegedly used to transport contraband.
The outgoing controller said his administration strengthened joint patrols and intelligence-based enforcement activities.
He encouraged officers to support the incoming leadership and remain committed to protecting Nigeria’s borders.
Petroleum Marketers Promise Continued Support
The Adamawa State Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Abdulmalik Bello, praised Tako for maintaining a cooperative relationship with petroleum marketers.
Bello also commended the outgoing controller’s security initiatives and pledged the association’s continued support for the command under Ali’s leadership.
The leadership transition comes as Customs authorities seek to improve enforcement against smuggling and other illegal cross-border activities.
Ali’s stated priorities include stronger investigations, improved inter-agency cooperation, community intelligence and lawful prosecution of suspected offenders.
