Customs Service Restructures, Dissolves JBPT to Enhance Enforcement

Customs Service Restructures, Dissolves JBPT to Enhance Enforcement

By Prince Benson Davies

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a major overhaul of its enforcement strategy for 2025, marking a significant shift in its approach to securing the country’s borders. In a surprise move, the NCS has also dissolved the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), a multi-agency unit tasked with combating smuggling and other cross-border crimes. The dissolution of the JBPT is seen as a key component of the NCS’s new enforcement strategy, which aims to strengthen the agency’s ability to prevent smuggling and protect national security.

Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons. Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Also, the service is deploying geospatial tools and advanced technologies to ensure the effectiveness of NCS enforcement strategies. This development underscores the Service’s commitment to leveraging innovative, intelligence-driven approaches for effective border enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.

Drawing from the above strategies, the Service also announces the dissolution 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 NCS acknowledges and deeply appreciates the cooperation and dedication of other government agencies that partnered in this endeavour. Their invaluable contributions 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.