The Nigeria Customs Service has disbanded the Joint Border Patrol Team and authorized a reduction in checkpoints nationwide to streamline operations and facilitate the movement of goods and people across the country’s borders.
This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, adding that the move is part of the reinvigorated 2025 Enforcement Strategy, designed to strengthen border management.
According to Adeniyi, the strategy aims to eliminate trade bottlenecks, improve border security, combat smuggling, and promote legitimate trade.
Adeniyi added that the dissolution of the JBPT followed consultations with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). The JBPT, launched in 2019 under the code name “Ex-Swift Response,” was initially created to enforce Nigeria’s partial border closure policy.
The Controller General highlighted that since its formation, the JBPT has played a key role in limiting the influx of dangerous goods and ensuring compliance with Nigeria’s trade and security regulations.
He emphasized that reducing customs checkpoints would not undermine border security but would improve operational efficiency.
Adeniyi added that the NCS would focus more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management to enhance enforcement capabilities.
According to him, the Service is integrating geospatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of its enforcement strategies.
“This development underscores our commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations,” Adeniyi added.
Meanwhile, the the lawmaker representing Badagry Federal Constituency, Sesi Whingan, in a statement on Monday condemned the alleged assault and brutality directed at innocent citizens of Badagry by operatives of the Service.
Recall that on December 1, the lawmaker raised a motion in the House of Representatives addressing alleged human rights violations by Customs officers in the region.
He explained that the motion was prompted by disturbing reports of physical abuse, intimidation, and harassment of law-abiding residents, especially the youths of Badagry, by Customs personnel under the pretext of combating smuggling.
“Badagry people are not smugglers. The continuous profiling and assault of our youths by some unscrupulous officers of the Nigerian Customs Service are unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.
“My motion at the House of Representatives was aimed at addressing these grave injustices and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable,” Whingan stated.
Whingan urged the NCS to adopt a more professional approach in its operations, ensuring that its personnel respect the rights of citizens while performing their duties.
