Customs Chief Calls for Greater Focus on Intelligence-Driven Operations

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has urged officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit to make intelligence the foundation of their professional practice, stressing that effective security and revenue operations depend on timely and credible intelligence.

He noted that no modern enforcement or revenue system can function successfully without intelligence that is properly gathered, analysed, and applied.

This charge was delivered during the opening ceremony of a training programme at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College (NCCSC), Gwagwalada, Abuja, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs.

Adeniyi described the programme as the first formal engagement of the Service in the new year and a significant platform capable of shaping the professional outlook of participating officers. He encouraged attendees to view the new year as an opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the Customs Service and national development.

Drawing from recent global and domestic security developments, the Comptroller-General referenced various military and security operations, including those within Nigeria that resulted in the interception of arms and ammunition. He emphasised that intelligence was the common factor behind the success of such operations.

According to him, intelligence must be appreciated as a practical tool rather than a theoretical concept, urging officers to carefully review earlier papers presented during the programme, which he said already contained actionable guidance for field operations.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of the NCCSC, Dow Gaura, an Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, described intelligence as a subtle but decisive driver of institutional effectiveness. He said the ability to collect, interpret, and deploy intelligence has become essential in responding to evolving security and economic challenges.

Gaura noted that the NCS has continued to invest in intelligence-driven training as part of its broader capacity-building efforts, describing the programme as a critical stage in the professional growth of participants.

He added that intelligence plays a central role in risk management, revenue protection, disrupting smuggling networks, and safeguarding the national economy.

Urging officers to approach the training with commitment, Gaura said the Service 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 levels, he explained that the objective was to promote discipline, focus, and professional excellence.