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Customs Enforces Tough Drug Tests for All Officers

Published

11 months ago

November 25, 2025

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.

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Health

Kenya Releases 20 Ebola Contacts After 21 Days in Quarantine

Published

12 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Kenya Ebola contacts: 20 people have been released after 21 days in quarantine without symptoms as health authorities continue outbreak monitoring

Kenya has released 20 people linked to its first imported case of Bundibugyo virus disease after they completed 21 days of quarantine without developing symptoms, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.

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The World Health Organisation’s Regional Office for Africa announced the development on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the individuals had undergone final health assessments and received counselling on precautions and follow-up care where necessary before reuniting with their families.

Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, urged communities to welcome the released individuals without stigma.

“We ask communities to welcome them home warmly,” Amoth said. “Having completed 21 days without symptoms, they pose no risk of infection to anyone.”

The WHO said 98 contacts remained in quarantine as of Monday, while eight contacts had developed symptoms and tested positive for Ebola through laboratory tests.

According to the organisation, all eight individuals were already in quarantine when they developed symptoms and were subsequently transferred to the country’s Ebola treatment centre in Nairobi.

Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths since reporting its first imported case on October 6, 2026.

The WHO said all nine cases were linked to the same cluster, with no evidence of wider community transmission at the time of its update.

The organisation said health authorities had traced all 135 contacts, both within Kenya and internationally, by October 22, placing them under quarantine and monitoring.

The WHO continues to support Kenya’s response through coordination, disease surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory testing, case management, infection prevention and control, screening at points of entry, and public health communication.

The WHO Representative to Kenya, Dr Neema Rusibamayila Kimambo, said people who completed quarantine had helped protect their families and communities.

“People who complete quarantine have helped protect their families, their communities and the whole country,” she said.

Kimambo also commended Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, and national and county health teams for responding to new cases.

The WHO said there was no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Bundibugyo virus disease, but early detection and supportive medical care could improve the chances of recovery.

It advised against travel restrictions, recommending evidence-based measures such as health screening at entry and exit points, surveillance and contact tracing instead.

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Although the release of the first 20 contacts marks progress in Kenya’s response, health authorities continue to monitor those still in quarantine and maintain surveillance to identify any further cases promptly.