The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has introduced a new policy mandating compulsory drug testing for all recruits and serving officers as part of efforts to strengthen accountability within the service.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, announced the directive at the closing session of the 2025 CGC Conference in Abuja, according to a statement by the service’s spokesperson, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada.
He said the measure aims to prevent individuals with substance-abuse issues from joining or remaining in the service.
“The Nigeria Customs Service has concluded arrangements to subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory drug test as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise,” the statement said.
Adeniyi added that the tests would cover personnel across all zones, commands and the headquarters, stressing that the service would not tolerate situations where “sensitive decisions are made under the influence of drugs.”
He noted that recent incidents of erratic behaviour and questionable judgement in some commands were traced to substance abuse.
“There will be no compromise,” he said. “We will ensure every new officer is tested so we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”
The CG warned that lapses linked to drug use would no longer be excused, emphasising that officers performing critical enforcement duties must remain mentally and physically fit.
He also urged personnel to undergo regular medical checks.
The new directive comes amid growing scrutiny of security agencies over personnel conduct.
In recent years, agencies including the police, immigration and correctional services have introduced similar drug-testing regimes following cases of misconduct tied to substance abuse.
It also aligns with repeated calls by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (rtd.), who has urged all security and uniformed agencies to institutionalise mandatory drug tests to strengthen the nation’s fight against drug abuse and trafficking.
Punch/Maxwell Oyekunle
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