CGC Adeniyi Deepens Customs–Traditional Institutions Partnership with Historic Visit to Emir of Gwandu
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has intensified stakeholder engagement efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) with a historic visit to the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Bashar, in Kebbi State, as part of moves to strengthen border security, community cooperation and national development.
The visit, which took place on Saturday, 7 February 2026, at the Emir’s palace in Gwandu, highlighted the growing recognition by the NCS of the pivotal role traditional institutions play in maintaining peace, promoting lawful trade and supporting security agencies in border communities.
CGC Adeniyi was accompanied by senior officers of the Service, including retired Deputy Comptroller-General Bello Mohammed Jibo and retired Assistant Comptroller-General Samba Dangaladima, both of whom currently serve under the Gwandu Emirate.
Speaking during the visit, the Comptroller-General described the engagement as a strategic component of the Service’s stakeholder partnership framework.
He stressed that effective and sustainable border management could not be achieved by enforcement agencies alone, noting that traditional rulers remain indispensable allies in sensitising border residents, discouraging smuggling and fostering trust between communities and security agencies.
According to him, collaboration with traditional authorities is critical to intelligence gathering and community buy-in, particularly in border areas where social structures and local influence play a decisive role in shaping behaviour.
CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs Service to sustained dialogue and cooperation with the Kebbi Emirate Council and other border communities, aimed at curbing smuggling and cross-border crimes that threaten national security and economic stability.
In his response, the Emir of Gwandu commended the Comptroller-General and his delegation for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of respect for traditional institutions and a step in the right direction for enhanced security cooperation. The monarch pledged the continued support of the Emirate Council to the NCS and other security agencies operating in Kebbi State.
He also called on residents of border communities to work closely with authorities by providing timely and credible information to help combat smuggling and other criminal activities along Nigeria’s borders.
As part of his official engagements in the state, the Comptroller-General later visited the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi Area Command, where he inspected ongoing ultra-modern projects designed to enhance operational efficiency and improve personnel welfare.
During the visit, CGC Adeniyi commissioned the Bashir Adewale Adeniyi E-Learning Centre, a facility aimed at boosting continuous training and capacity development for officers. He also inaugurated a newly constructed five-aside football pitch named after retired DCG Bello Mohammed Jibo, in recognition of his contributions to the Service.
Addressing officers and men of the Kebbi Area Command, the Comptroller-General charged them to remain disciplined, professional and dedicated to their duties. He described Kebbi as a strategically important border Command, both in terms of revenue generation and anti-smuggling operations.
He emphasised the need to ensure that goods move strictly through approved corridors and warned officers against any compromise in the handling of transit cargo, stressing that integrity in transit operations is non-negotiable.
CGC Adeniyi noted that Kebbi State remains a critical route exploited by smugglers and economic saboteurs, particularly for the illegal exportation of petroleum products. He explained that this reality informed the deployment of special operations in the area to disrupt smuggling networks.
The Comptroller-General further disclosed that he had conveyed the President’s approval for the reopening of the Tsamiya border, reminding officers that the development comes with heightened responsibility to prevent the diversion of transit goods and other abuses.
He also underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation and cross-border collaboration in tackling smuggling, banditry, terrorism and other forms of organised crime. He assured personnel of the Service’s commitment to improved welfare and the continued deployment of technology to enhance operational effectiveness.
The visit ended on a symbolic and morale-boosting note, as CGC Adeniyi joined officers and senior Customs officials in a friendly football match at the newly commissioned five-aside pitch, reinforcing camaraderie, teamwork and esprit de corps within the Kebbi Area Command.
