The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has intensified stakeholder engagement efforts with a historic courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, in Kebbi State, as part of moves to strengthen border security, community relations and national development.
The visit, which took place on Saturday, 7 February 2026, highlighted the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) recognition of the strategic role of traditional institutions in promoting peace, lawful trade and effective border management, particularly in frontier communities. The CGC was accompanied by senior Customs officers, including retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo and retired Assistant Comptroller-General Samba Dangaladima, both of whom currently serve the Gwandu Emirate.
Addressing the Emir, CGC Adeniyi described the visit as a key component of the Service’s stakeholder partnership framework, stressing that sustainable border management requires collaboration beyond enforcement agencies. He noted that traditional rulers remain vital allies in sensitising border residents, discouraging smuggling and strengthening trust between security agencies and local communities.
The CGC reaffirmed the commitment of the NCS to sustained dialogue and cooperation with the Kebbi Emirate Council and border communities to curb smuggling and other cross-border crimes that threaten national security and economic stability.
In his response, the Emir of Gwandu commended the CGC for the visit and pledged the continued support of the Emirate Council to the NCS and other security agencies in the state. He also urged residents of border communities to cooperate with authorities by providing timely intelligence to combat smuggling and related criminal activities.
As part of his engagements in Kebbi State, CGC Adeniyi visited the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, where he inspected ongoing ultra-modern projects designed to enhance operational efficiency and personnel welfare. He commissioned the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi E-Learning Centre and a newly constructed five-aside football pitch named after retired DCG Bello Mohammed Jibo.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, the CGC charged them to uphold discipline, professionalism and integrity, describing Kebbi as a strategically important border Command for revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations. He emphasised the need to ensure that goods move strictly through approved corridors and warned against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo.
CGC Adeniyi noted that Kebbi remains a critical route exploited by smugglers and economic saboteurs, particularly for the illegal export of petroleum products, a reality that informed the deployment of special operations in the area. He disclosed that he had conveyed presidential approval for the reopening of the Tsamiya border, stressing that the development comes with heightened responsibility to prevent diversion of transit goods.
He further underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation and cross-border collaboration in tackling smuggling, banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime, while assuring officers of improved welfare and the continued deployment of technology to boost operational effectiveness.
The visit ended on a symbolic note as the Comptroller-General joined officers and senior Customs officials in a friendly football match at the newly commissioned five-aside pitch, reinforcing esprit de corps and morale within the Command.
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