Customs Service Announces Reduction of Checkpoints Nationwide

The NSC also dissolves the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) after due consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). 

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday announce a reduction of it checkpoints across the country in a bid to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons.

The move which is part of efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 Enforcement Strategy, also seeks to remove bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade.

According to a statement on Tuesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, who approved the reduction, says moving forward, Customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

The statement by the spokesperson of Customs, Abdullahi, the Service is deploying geospatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of NCS enforcement strategies.

He adds that this development underscores the Service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.

Also the NSC says drawing from the above strategies, it has dissolved of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) after due consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

“This operation, which commenced in 2019 with a code name “Ex-Swift Response” and later evolved into JBPT, was initially designed to enforce the partial border closure policy.”

“Since its inception, the JBPT has played a pivotal role in curbing the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations.”

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.

END