Intelligence Is Backbone of Modern Customs Operations — CGC Adeniyi Charges Officers
By The People’s Voice Nigeria News
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has charged officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to place intelligence at the centre of their operations, stressing that no modern security or revenue system can function effectively without timely and credible intelligence.
Adeniyi gave the charge on Monday during the opening ceremony of a training programme for CIU officers at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, describing the exercise as the Service’s first formal engagement of the year.
He said the programme was coming at a critical time and urged participants to approach the new year as an opportunity to make measurable contributions to the Service and national development.
Reflecting on recent global and domestic security developments, the Customs boss noted that intelligence remained the common denominator behind successful military and paramilitary operations, including recent interventions within Nigeria that resulted in the interception of arms and ammunition.
According to him, intelligence must go beyond theory and be practically applied to guide enforcement strategies, operational planning and decision-making in the field.
Adeniyi also advised participants to revisit papers earlier presented during the programme, noting that they already contained practical guidance required for effective intelligence-led Customs operations.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the NCCSC, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Dow Gaura, described intelligence as a quiet but decisive force in institutional transformation, especially in the face of evolving security and economic challenges.
He said the Nigeria Customs Service had continued to invest in intelligence-led training as part of its broader capacity-building strategy, describing the programme as a key phase in the professional development of officers.
Gaura explained that intelligence underpins critical Customs functions such as risk management, revenue protection, disruption of smuggling networks, and the safeguarding of the national economy.
He urged participants to approach the training with seriousness and discipline, assuring them that Management had provided experienced facilitators, relevant learning materials and a structured environment to achieve meaningful outcomes.
Senior officers present at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Tijjani Abe; the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Sulaiman Chiroma; and the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shu’aibu, among others.
