The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has charged the Customs Police Unit (CPU) to uphold integrity, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of its enforcement responsibilities.
Adeniyi gave the charge on Thursday at the inaugural Customs Police Summit 2026, where he stressed the need for a disciplined and trusted police unit to strengthen internal standards, combat criminal activities and ensure compliance within the Service.
He said the Customs Police Unit, inaugurated in July 2019, was established to investigate erring personnel, prevent crime and enforce compliance, emphasising that no officer was above the law.
According to him, the growing sophistication of criminal networks, which exploit legitimate trade routes and digital platforms to traffic in firearm components, narcotics, counterfeit medicines, protected wildlife and illicit funds, requires smarter and intelligence-driven enforcement strategies.
The Customs boss, who also chairs the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, said Customs administrations must strike a balance between facilitating legitimate trade and preventing illicit activities.
He noted that the exercise of police powers under the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 must be guided by the rule of law, insisting that every search, arrest and detention must have lawful justification and withstand public and judicial scrutiny.
Adeniyi identified three major priorities for strengthening the Customs Police Unit: consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He explained that consolidation would involve establishing clear procedures for arrest, detention and investigation, improving case management and strengthening professional development from recruitment to leadership.
On collaboration, he called for stronger partnerships with the Nigeria Police Force, Armed Forces, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Department of State Services (DSS), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), neighbouring countries and border communities.
He maintained that no single institution could effectively combat illicit trade without coordinated efforts and mutual trust.
The Comptroller-General also advocated the deployment of artificial intelligence, advanced scanners, geospatial tools and electronic cargo tracking to improve investigations and strengthen border security.
However, he cautioned that technology must operate within established legal frameworks, stressing the need for human oversight, data protection and reliable audit trails in the application of artificial intelligence to enforcement activities.
He identified the WCO SAFE Framework, Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, advance rulings, Time Release Study and Revised Kyoto Convention as important instruments for promoting compliance, facilitating trade and reducing opportunities for corruption.
Adeniyi further highlighted the role of technology in modern Customs administration, citing the B’Odogwu platform, which integrates declarations, valuation, risk management and AEO processes, as well as the INTERPOL Data Centre at Customs Headquarters, which provides access to global criminal databases.
He said the Customs Police Unit remained central to ensuring that enforcement actions were conducted lawfully and that interceptions translated into successful prosecutions.
The NCS chief urged participants at the summit to develop a Customs Police doctrine anchored in the NCS Act 2023 and the Revised Arusha Declaration.
He also called for practical protocols on joint operations, evidence management and information exchange, responsible guidelines for the use of data and artificial intelligence in investigations, as well as recommendations on the training, welfare and recognition of CPU personnel.
Addressing officers and men of the Unit, Adeniyi urged them to uphold discipline, restraint and professionalism, noting that the Red Beret they wear represents the trust of Nigerians and the reputation of the Service.
He reaffirmed that integrity must remain the foundation of the Unit’s operations, declaring that Customs officers must demonstrate the standards of conduct they expect from traders and members of the public.
The Comptroller-General expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the modernisation of the Nigeria Customs Service, as well as the ACG Headquarters, Acting Provost Marshal, organising committee and partner agencies.
