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By Stella Odueme
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has charged officers of the Service to uphold discipline, integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties, stressing that no officer is above the law.
Adeniyi gave the charge at the inaugural Customs Police Summit 2026 held at the NAF Conference Centre in Abuja.
He said the Customs Police Unit (CPU) remained critical to strengthening internal discipline, preventing crime and ensuring that personnel complied with established rules and regulations.
The Customs boss, who is also Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, said effective customs administration required a disciplined and trusted enforcement unit capable of upholding the integrity of the Service.
He recalled that the Nigeria Customs Service's history dated back to 1891, while its Preventive Service, with an enforcement arm, was established in 1945.
According to him, the Customs Police Unit was inaugurated in July 2019 with the mandate to investigate erring personnel, prevent crime and ensure compliance.
He commended successive Provost Marshals and officers of the unit for their contributions over the past seven years.
Adeniyi identified integrity, restraint and inter-agency cooperation as essential principles guiding effective customs enforcement.
He noted that although the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 empowered the Service with police powers, officers must ensure that searches, arrests and detentions were carried out strictly in accordance with the law.
He warned that criminal networks were becoming increasingly sophisticated, exploiting legitimate trade routes and digital platforms to move firearm components, narcotics, counterfeit medicines, protected wildlife and illicit funds.
To address the threats, he called for smarter enforcement strategies supported by technology, intelligence gathering and international best practices.
The Comptroller-General highlighted the importance of World Customs Organisation instruments, including the SAFE Framework, Authorised Economic Operator programme, Advance Rulings, Time Release Study and Revised Kyoto Convention, in promoting compliance and improving trade facilitation.
He also identified the B'Odogwu digital platform and the INTERPOL Data Centre at Customs Headquarters as important tools for strengthening risk management, intelligence-led operations and the fight against transnational crime.
Adeniyi said the Customs Police Unit had a central responsibility in ensuring that enforcement powers were exercised lawfully and that interceptions translated into successful prosecutions.
He outlined three strategic pillars for strengthening the unit: consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He explained that consolidation would involve establishing clear procedures for arrests, detention and investigations, improving case documentation and strengthening professional development.
On collaboration, he called for stronger partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force, Armed Forces, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Department of State Services, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and other relevant institutions.
He said no single agency could effectively combat illicit trade without sustained cooperation with other security institutions, neighbouring countries and border communities.
On innovation, Adeniyi urged the adoption of artificial intelligence, advanced scanners, geospatial tools and electronic cargo tracking to improve investigations and enforcement operations.
However, he cautioned that technology must operate within the boundaries of the law, with appropriate safeguards for data protection, human oversight and accountability.
The Customs chief urged participants at the summit to develop a Customs Police doctrine anchored on the NCS Act 2023 and the Revised Arusha Declaration.
He also called for practical protocols on joint operations, evidence management and information exchange, alongside guidelines for the responsible use of data and artificial intelligence in investigations.
Other expected outcomes, he said, should include recommendations on training, welfare and recognition of Customs Police personnel.
Addressing officers of the unit, Adeniyi urged them to uphold the dignity of the red beret, describing it as a symbol of public trust and the reputation of the Service.
He stressed that integrity remained the most important badge of every Customs officer.
He subsequently declared the inaugural Customs Police Summit 2026 open.