NIGERIA CUSTOMS UNVEILS NEW ENFORCEMENT PLAN, DISSOLVES JOINT BORDER PATROL TEAM (JBPT)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revamped its 2025 Enforcement Strategy to bolster border management. This comprehensive plan focuses on eliminating trade obstacles, enhancing border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons. Going forward, the NCS will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. The Service is also deploying geospatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of its enforcement strategies. These changes demonstrate the NCS’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.
The Nigeria Customs Service has dissolved the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), a operation that was established in 2019 to enforce the partial border closure policy. Initially known as “Ex-Swift Response,” the JBPT played a crucial role in preventing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations.
The decision to dissolve the JBPT was made after consulting with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The Nigeria Customs Service acknowledges the significant contributions of the JBPT and expresses gratitude to the other government agencies that partnered in this effort. Their cooperation and dedication have been instrumental in safeguarding Nigeria’s land borders.
The Service assures the general public and stakeholders that these measures will not compromise border security or trade facilitation. Rather, they represent a significant step towards modernising customs operations, improving trade compliance, and strengthening national security.
While soliciting the support of all stakeholders in the good fight against economic saboteurs, the CGC reassured his commitment and that of his officers and men to secure the nation’s borders effectively, facilitate legitimate trade, and ensure the safety and well-being of all Nigerians.
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