By The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Bashar, in Kebbi State as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and traditional institutions.
The engagement underscored the Service’s commitment to building stronger community partnerships in tackling border security challenges.
The visit, which took place on February 7, 2026, at the Emir’s palace, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in promoting lawful trade and maintaining peace in border communities.
Adeniyi noted that effective border management requires active cooperation between security agencies and local stakeholders, particularly traditional leaders who wield significant influence within their domains.
Speaking during the visit, the CGC emphasised that enforcement alone cannot guarantee secure borders. He stated that the Customs Service is expanding its stakeholder engagement framework to ensure better public awareness, community trust, and intelligence sharing. He added that traditional institutions remain key partners in discouraging smuggling and other cross-border crimes that undermine national security and economic stability.
In his response, the Emir of Gwandu commended Adeniyi for prioritising dialogue and community engagement. He pledged the continued support of the Emirate Council to the Nigeria Customs Service and urged residents of border communities to cooperate fully with security agencies by providing useful information that could help curb smuggling and related criminal activities.
Earlier in the day, the CGC visited the Kebbi Area Command of the NCS, where he inspected newly completed ultra-modern facilities designed to enhance operational efficiency and personnel welfare. He commissioned the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi E-Learning Centre and a five-aside football pitch named in honour of retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo, describing the projects as part of ongoing reforms to modernise the Service.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, Adeniyi charged them to uphold professionalism, integrity, and discipline in the discharge of their duties. He described Kebbi as a strategic border command vital to revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations, warning officers against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo.
He also reiterated the Federal Government’s approval for the reopening of the Tsamiya border, stressing that the decision comes with greater responsibility to ensure strict compliance with approved trade corridors.
The CGC concluded his visit by encouraging stronger inter-agency cooperation and the use of technology to combat smuggling, banditry, terrorism, and other transnational crimes. The engagement ended with a symbolic friendly football match at the newly commissioned pitch, aimed at boosting morale and camaraderie among Customs personnel.
