Intelligence Central to Modern Customs Operations — CGC Adeniyi Tells Officers
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), 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 succeed without timely, credible and well-applied intelligence.
Adeniyi gave the charge on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, during the opening ceremony of a training programme for CIU officers. He described the exercise as the Service’s first formal engagement of the year and a critical opportunity to shape the professional outlook of participating officers.
Welcoming the officers to the College, the CGC said the training was taking place at a defining moment and urged participants to view the new year as an opportunity to make measurable contributions to the Nigeria Customs Service and national development.
Reflecting on recent global and domestic security developments, Adeniyi cited military and security operations in different regions, including within Nigeria, which have resulted in the interception of arms and ammunition. He noted that intelligence remains the common factor behind the success of such operations.
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According to him, intelligence must be understood beyond theoretical concepts, as it plays a decisive role in effective field operations. He therefore urged participants to carefully revisit earlier papers presented during the programme, noting that they already contained practical guidance relevant to their assignments.
In his address, the Commandant of the NCCSC, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Dow Gaura, described intelligence as a quiet but powerful force in institutional effectiveness and transformation. He said the ability to gather, analyse and deploy intelligence had become indispensable in addressing evolving security and economic challenges.
ACG Gaura noted that the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to prioritise intelligence-driven training as part of its broader capacity-building strategy, describing the programme as a critical phase in the professional development of CIU officers.
He explained that intelligence underpins risk management, revenue protection, the disruption of smuggling networks and the safeguarding of the national economy. He urged participants to approach the training with dedication and discipline, assuring them that Management had provided experienced facilitators, relevant materials and a structured learning environment to ensure meaningful outcomes.
While acknowledging that the training environment might differ from what some officers were accustomed to, the Commandant said the objective was to enhance focus, discipline and professional growth.
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 in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shu’aibu, among others.
By PRNigeria
