The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, has charged officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to make intelligence the foundation of their operations, declaring that no modern security or revenue system can function effectively without timely, credible, and well-applied intelligence.
The CGC gave the charge on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, during the opening ceremony of a CIU training programme. He described the exercise as the Service’s first formal engagement of the year and a defining moment capable of shaping the professional mindset of participating officers.
Welcoming the officers to the College, Adeniyi said the programme was taking place at a critical period, urging participants to seize the new year as an opportunity to make measurable contributions to the Service and national development.
Drawing from recent global and domestic security developments, he referenced military and security operations across various regions, including within Nigeria, which led to the interception of arms and ammunition. He noted that intelligence was the common denominator behind every successful operation, stressing that Customs officers must understand its relevance beyond classroom theory.
He encouraged participants to critically review papers already presented during the programme, pointing out that they contain practical tools necessary for effective field performance.
In his remarks, the Commandant of the NCCSC, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs Dow Gaura, described intelligence as a silent but decisive force in institutional transformation. According to him, the capacity to gather, analyse, and apply intelligence has become indispensable in addressing emerging security and economic challenges.
ACG Gaura said the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to prioritise intelligence-led training as part of its broader capacity-building agenda, describing the programme as a vital phase in the professional development of officers. He explained that intelligence remains central to risk management, revenue protection, disruption of smuggling networks, and safeguarding the national economy.
He urged participants to approach the training with seriousness and focus, noting that Management had provided experienced facilitators, relevant instructional materials, and a structured learning environment to ensure meaningful outcomes. While acknowledging that the training conditions might differ from participants’ usual comfort zones, he said the objective was to instil discipline, concentration, and professionalism.
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 of Customs in charge of TRADOC, Sulaiman Chiroma; and the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shu’aibu, among others.