Security

Customs, NDLEA Strengthen Anti-Drug Collaboration

By Web News 345

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke 

In line with inter-agency protocols, the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, has handed over seized illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command.

The substances included 11 wraps of crystal meth (ice) weighing 12 kilograms, 16 pieces of heroin weighing 16 kilograms and 3,373 wraps of cannabis sativa in doughnut-size, coconut-size, and booklet-sizes, weighing 1,502 kilograms.

During the handover at the Command’s headquarters, Idiroko, the Customs Area Controller, Mr Oladapo Afeni, noted that cannabis remained the most abused illicit drug globally, with one in three users requiring treatment.

The Customs Area Controller also said the Command generated over twenty-seven million naira in revenue within the month, attributing the achievement to improved compliance by legitimate traders.

He emphasized that legitimate trade  facilitation would be sustained while enforcement against smuggling would also be strengthened.

Customs Controller noted that postings within the Command would be merit-based and performance-driven. 

Mr Afeni acknowledged the leadership impacts of the Comptroller – General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, while praising customs officers, community leaders, informants and the media for supporting the command. 

He warned smugglers to stay away from Ogun State, restating that the Command would remain vigilant and committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic and security interests.

Receiving the exhibits, NDLEA Commander for Idiroko, Mr. Ekundayo Omoniyi, commended the Customs Command for strengthening inter-agency collaboration, describing the seizure as timely, especially during the festive period.

Mr Omoniyi gave assurance that investigations would be intensified to apprehend those responsible for the trafficking.

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Security

Customs Introduces Service-Wide Drug Checks

By Web News 261

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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