AWC MDA Desk
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has underscored the central role of intelligence in modern customs operations, urging officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) to make timely, credible intelligence the backbone of their duties.
Adeniyi made the call on Monday, 5 January 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, during the opening ceremony of the Service’s first formal training programme of the year. He described the programme as a strategic platform for officers to sharpen their skills and contribute more effectively to national security, revenue generation, and economic stability.
According to the CGC, no contemporary security or revenue operation can succeed without strong intelligence capabilities, noting that intelligence-driven customs operations are critical to combating smuggling, protecting government revenue, and supporting broader national security objectives.
In his remarks, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Commandant of NCCSC, ACG Dow Gaura, described intelligence as a “quiet but decisive force” in customs administration. He said effective intelligence underpins risk management, disrupts criminal and smuggling networks, and safeguards the national economy from illicit trade.
Gaura urged participants to approach the training with discipline and commitment, assuring them of a structured learning environment supported by experienced facilitators and carefully curated training materials designed to enhance operational effectiveness.
The event attracted senior officers of the Service, including Tijjani Abe, Sulaiman Chiroma, and Muhammad Shu’aibu, who joined in reinforcing the importance of capacity building and professionalism within the Nigeria Customs Service.
The training programme reflects the Service’s ongoing efforts to strengthen intelligence-led operations and reposition customs administration to meet evolving security and economic challenges in the country.
