Nigeria Customs introduces mandatory drug tests for all officers and recruits as part of new measures to ensure discipline and safeguard national security

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday announced the introduction of a compulsory Customs drug tests policy for all recruits and serving officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, declaring that the agency would no longer tolerate personnel making operational decisions under the influence of drugs.

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Adeniyi confirmed the development at the closing session of the Comptroller-General’s 2025 Conference in Abuja, according to a statement issued by Customs spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada.

He said the Service had already integrated mandatory drug screening into its ongoing recruitment exercise to prevent unfit or substance-dependent individuals from entering the organisation.

The policy will also extend to every serving officer across Zones, Commands and the Headquarters.

Adeniyi explained that recent incidents of erratic conduct in certain commands were directly linked to substance abuse, prompting the leadership to adopt what he described as a decisive and necessary safeguard.

He stressed that the Nigeria Customs Service could not risk compromised judgment among personnel entrusted with border protection, enforcement duties and revenue collection.

He said there would be no compromise for offenders, adding that the Service would not expend resources rehabilitating recruits who should have been screened before admission.

He urged officers to prioritise regular medical checks, insisting that mental and physical fitness remained critical to effective service delivery.

The directive comes as security and enforcement agencies face heightened scrutiny over behaviour linked to drug use.

In recent years, the police, immigration and correctional services have all introduced random drug tests following cases of misconduct traced to substance dependence.

The policy also aligns with the long-standing advocacy of Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retired), who has repeatedly urged all uniformed organisations to institutionalise compulsory drug testing as part of broader national reforms to curb abuse and strengthen discipline.

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The Customs’ new drug-testing regime is widely viewed as a powerful step toward tightening internal control, reducing operational risk and reinforcing public trust in frontline officers responsible for securing Nigeria’s borders.