From Joseph Adahnu, Yola
The Acting Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Mamman Ali, has pledged to strengthen the fight against smuggling through intelligence-led operations and deployment of modern technology.
Ali gave the assurance during a handover ceremony at the Customs House, Yola, where he formally assumed leadership of the command.
He said his administration would prioritize intelligence gathering, operational efficiency and effective enforcement to ensure that those involved in smuggling are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
According to him, the command will adopt technology-driven strategies to complement conventional patrols and road checks, aimed at strengthening border security and curbing illicit trade.
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“Digitalisation has come to stay, and we will adopt it in every possible way to curb smuggling activities and sanitise the economy for sustainable growth,” he said, stressing that offenders would be subjected to appropriate legal procedures and sanctions to deter further violations.
Ali added that his administration would align its operations with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ policy thrust of consolidation, innovation and collaboration.
He called on community leaders, border residents and other stakeholders to support the command with credible and timely intelligence to aid the fight against smuggling.
The new Controller commended his predecessor, Acting Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Tako, for his selfless service to the command, assuring that he would build on his achievements.
In his remarks, Tako congratulated Ali on his appointment and highlighted the command’s anti-smuggling achievements during his tenure, which began on December 9, 2025.
He disclosed that the command intercepted 103,080 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), nine kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, 74 kilogrammes of ivory tusks and 220 kilogrammes of pangolin scales.
Other seized items, according to him, include 64 complete raw donkey skins, 266 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 501 cartons of foreign bar soaps, second-hand clothing and vehicles allegedly used to convey contraband. He put the total Duty Paid Value (DPV), of the seizures at N530.97 million.
Tako attributed the successes to improved joint patrols and intelligence-driven operations, which he said contributed to efforts to protect the nation’s borders and combat illicit trade.
He urged officers and men of the command to give the new leadership maximum cooperation, loyalty and discipline to sustain the gains recorded.
Also speaking, the State Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Abdulmalik Bello, commended Tako for his cooperation and support for the association throughout his tenure and pledged IPMAN’s continued collaboration with the new administration.
Bello reaffirmed the association’s commitment to working with the Customs Service to address security challenges and promote legitimate economic activities across Adamawa and Taraba States.
