Safeguarding Nigeria’s Borders: Remembering the Unsung Heroes

By George-Okoli Francisco Chidi, Director of Programs West African Action Network on Small Arms (WAANSA) Nigeria.

Nigeria, a bustling hub of trade, commerce, and cultural exchange in West Africa, faces numerous challenges in maintaining security and regulating the flow of goods across its borders. At the heart of this challenge lies the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), an often overlooked yet vital institution working tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s borders. Though frequently underappreciated in the public eye, the Customs officers play a critical role not only in trade facilitation but also in national security, economic stability, and public safety.

The Nigerian Customs Service which is tasked with a variety of crucial duties, including the regulation of imports and exports, the collection of tariffs and duties, and the enforcement of national laws regarding trade.

Customs officers are stationed at air, sea, and land borders, ensuring that illegal goods, contraband, and prohibited items do not enter the country. They also play a role in combating smuggling, human trafficking, and other criminal activities that could harm Nigeria’s economy or security.

Nigeria Customs officers are trained to inspect containers, vehicles, and passengers, using advanced technology such as scanners and x-rays to detect hidden goods or contraband. This rigorous inspection process is often done under challenging and sometimes dangerous conditions, especially at land borders that are porous or poorly monitored.

Despite the critical role Customs officers play, their contributions often underreported. Customs personnel work in challenging environments, particularly at the nation’s porous borders, where they face a variety of threats and obstacles. From armed smugglers and traffickers to difficult terrain and harsh weather conditions, these officers show immense dedication in their duty and compliment the commitment of the government towards eliminating trans-border crimes.

Lieutenant Colonel Hammed Ali (retd.), the former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, addressing men of the Nigeria Customs and press acknowledged the sacrifices made by the officers, stating, “The Nigeria Customs Service remains at the forefront of defending our borders, safeguarding our economy, and supporting national security. The officers who work tirelessly in often dangerous and adverse conditions deserve far more recognition for their relentless commitment to duty.” (Hammed Ali September 2015).

One of the major challenges faced by Customs officers is the sheer size of Nigeria’s borders. Nigeria shares land borders with four countries, Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon making it vulnerable to trans-border crime.

According to the Nigeria Customs Service, “A large percentage of smuggling and illegal trade happens through Nigeria’s land borders, and our officers are constantly on the lookout to intercept contraband goods, illegal migrants, and prevent the flow of arms and drugs into the country” (Nigeria Customs Service, n.d.).

Moreover, the lack of modern infrastructure and technological tools to monitor the long and porous borders presents a significant challenge. In response, the NCS has increasingly embraced modern technology, including surveillance drones, scanners, and data analytics, to enhance its ability to detect and prevent smuggling activities.

The Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) has played a pivotal role in intercepting illegal goods that pose serious risks to national security. In 2023 alone, Customs officers seized millions of dollars’ worth of illicit items, including firearms, narcotics, and counterfeit products.

As one of the largest contributors to the federal budget, the NCS continues to excel in revenue collection. In 2022, the agency surpassed its revenue target, generating over N2 trillion, which has funded critical infrastructure projects and social programs across Nigeria.

Border Management and Control: Through coordinated operations, the NCS has successfully dismantled numerous smuggling syndicates operating along Nigeria’s borders. Customs officers regularly collaborate with other security agencies such as the Nigerian Army, Immigration Service, Civil Defence Corps, and the Police to ensure effective border surveillance and control.

Combating Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration: The Nigeria customs has worked closely with international organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to tackle human trafficking and manage irregular migration across Nigeria’s borders.

AfCFTA Implementation: With the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Nigeria’s Customs Service has played a crucial role in ensuring compliance with new trade regulations while safeguarding Nigeria’s domestic industries from harmful imports.

In October 2024, the NCS enhanced its border surveillance capabilities with the acquisition of a Cessna Grand Caravan EX-208B aircraft. This aircraft is designed to improve monitoring of remote border areas and assist in detecting illegal activities such as smuggling and trafficking. It is a cost-effective solution tailored to Nigeria’s diverse terrain, supporting real-time intelligence gathering and boosting coordination with other security agencies.

Seizure of Arms and Drones: In July 2024, the NCS intercepted arms and drones valued at N1.5 billion in Lagos, further demonstrating its proactive role in curbing cross-border crimes and securing the nation (Daily Trust online newspaper, 3 July 2024).

The World Customs Organization commended the NCS for its remarkable achievements under the leadership of Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi, citing its effective border management and contributions to global trade security in July 2024 (Nigeria Custom Service https://customs.gov.ng/?p=9547).

In September 2024, Customs officers in Onne, Rivers State, successfully intercepted 12 containers filled with military hardware and drugs valued at over N31 billion. This significant operation highlights the NCS’s ongoing commitment to protecting Nigeria from illegal arms trafficking and the entry of harmful substances (Daily Trust online newspaper, 4 September 2024).

These achievements underscore the Nigeria Customs Service’s crucial role in national security, economic stability, and the fight against cross-border criminal activities.

Despite these successes, the Nigeria Customs Service faces significant challenges. The porous nature of Nigeria’s land borders is a recurring issue. Smugglers, traffickers, and criminals often find ways to bypass official entry points, taking advantage of poorly monitored areas. And the increase sophistication of criminal networks involved in smuggling and trafficking makes it difficult for Customs officers to keep pace with emerging threats. The lack of resources, particularly in remote border regions, further exacerbates these challenges.

While the Nigeria Customs Service has made significant strides in securing Nigeria’s borders, it is the dedication and sacrifices of its officers that truly make the difference. Working in often dangerous conditions, facing threats from armed smugglers and traffickers, and enduring difficult environments, Customs officers continue to demonstrate unwavering commitment to their duty.

Many Nigeria Customs officers operate in remote and challenging areas with limited resources, yet they remain resolute in their mission to safeguard the nation’s borders. Their professionalism, integrity, and courage are a testament to their unwavering dedication to the security of Nigeria.

The recognition and support for Nigeria Customs officers are critical in ensuring that they can continue performing their roles effectively. As they battle both the known and unknown challenges at Nigeria’s borders, the men and women of the Nigeria Customs Service deserve every accolade and more for their vital role in maintaining the country’s security.

Additionally, public support for Customs officers is crucial. Nigeria’s Customs officers need recognition, appreciation, and better welfare to continue to perform their duties effectively and without distraction.

In conclusion, the Nigeria Customs Service stands as one of the unsung heroes in the effort to safeguard Nigeria’s borders. As the nation faces increasing security challenges, the Nigeria Customs Service continues to work tirelessly to combat smuggling, protect the economy, and ensure national security. It is time that the invaluable contribution of Customs officers is fully recognized, as they play an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the sovereignty and prosperity of Nigeria.

With continued support and investment, the Nigeria Customs Service can enhance its efforts in securing the nation’s borders and continue to play a pivotal role of enhancing border security which is critical to realization of sustainable development goals.