Determined to strengthen border management, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has announced steps to reinvigorated its 2025 Enforcement Strategy, including the disbandment of its Joint Border Patrol Team.
The objective is to remove bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade, the National PRO, ACC Abdullahi Maiwada announced on Tuesday.
Specifically, the CGC Bashir Adeniyi has approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons.
“Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Also, the Service is deploying geo-spatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of NCS enforcement strategies. This development underscores the Service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations,” Maiwada explained.
The Service also announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team after due consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser. Maiwada said : “This operation, which commenced in 2019 with a code name “Ex-Swift Response” and later evolved into JBPT, was initially designed to enforce the partial border closure policy. Since its inception, the JBPT has played a pivotal role in curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations.”
The CGC expressed appreciation for the cooperation and dedication of other government agencies engaged in efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s land borders.
“The Service assures the general public and stakeholders that these measures will not compromise border security or trade facilitation. Rather, they represent a significant step towards modernising customs operations, improving trade compliance, and strengthening national security.
“While soliciting the support of all stakeholders in the good fight against economic saboteurs, the CGC reassured his commitment and that of his officers and men to secure the nation’s borders effectively, facilitate legitimate trade, and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerian,” said Maiwada.
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