The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in the fight against drug trafficking, calling for strategic synergy among government agencies.
He disclosed that the agency has been working closely with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to clamp down on illicit drug importation.
Adeniyi made this known while addressing journalists during an official visit to the Nigeria Customs Area 2 Command in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Citing the benefits of inter-agency collaboration, he noted that it had led to the seizure of over 200 containers of illicit drugs, which were subsequently destroyed under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The Customs boss emphasised that the joint effort had ensured the drugs did not fall into the wrong hands. He added that Customs has also established structures in border communities to work with local residents.
He urged officers to leverage their knowledge of the terrain and available intelligence to conduct more effective operations.
The Comptroller General assured that the agency will continue working closely with stakeholders to tackle the menace of drug trafficking.
He said, “My cardinal trust program anchors on collaboration because I’ve always believed that we can get a lot of things done when we collaborate. A basic example is the ongoing clampdown on drugs.
“Before now, the three major agencies involved in enforcing anti-drug laws—Customs, NDLEA, and NAFDAC—worked independently. But I discovered that the more we work closely, the more results we get. So when Customs declared a State of Emergency at the airport against the importation of illicit drugs, I rallied the support of NAFDAC and NDLEA. Since then, we’ve received briefings and conducted joint operations which have led to the seizure of over 200 containers of illicit drugs.
“ We also came together under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser to ensure the destruction of those drugs so they do not get into the wrong hands.
“This is the same template we are using in our border communities. All our Customs commands around the borders are encouraged to build relationships with members of the communities. Because we operate there and live among them, they know the terrain and provide superior intelligence that we can leverage in our operations.
“I assure you that we have a structure for collaboration, and we are actively leveraging it to ensure coordinated efforts.”
Speaking on state affairs, the CG commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for leveraging the strategic assets of Ogun State as an industrial hub.
He said Governor Abiodun has repositioned the state and upheld its title as the Gateway State.
“Ogun State is a very strategic place in Nigeria. In terms of location, we all refer to it as the gateway into Nigeria. The state lives up to this name, especially with its important and strategic border areas like the Idi Iroko border shared with the Republic of Benin.
“Due to its proximity to Lagos, it has also emerged as an industrial hub. The state governor is leveraging this strategic advantage and repositioning the state for industrial development.
“ We’ve observed several initiatives and infrastructure developments by the state government aimed at unlocking the full benefits and potential of this location.
“I am here today to assure the governor, government, and good people of the state that the Nigeria Customs Service will remain a strong partner in advancing our nation’s economic prosperity, using this industrial initiative as a pillar.”
Meanwhile, the Customs Controller, Area 2, AOB Alade, commended the CG for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He reported that the command continues to uphold the core mandates of the Service through discipline, integrity, and selfless service.
Alade presented the achievements of the command, which include the generation of ₦15.19 billion (Fifteen Billion, One Hundred and Ninety-One Million, Two
Hundred and Twenty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Three Naira, Eighty-Two Kobo) as revenue collected for the first quarter of 2025.
He noted that this figure represents about a 40% increase compared to the ₦9,165,717,162.99 (Nine Billion, One Hundred and Sixty-Five Million, Seven Hundred and Seventeen Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty-Two Naira, Ninety-Nine Kobo) recorded during the same period in 2024.
