The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has called for a formal doctrine to guide the work of the Nigeria Customs Service’s police unit, including rules for joint operations, evidence handling and the use of artificial intelligence in investigations.

Mr Adeniyi spoke on Thursday at the inaugural customs police summit in Abuja. 

He said the summit should offer practical guidance on how the unit exercises its powers and works with other law-enforcement agencies.

The Customs Police Unit was established in 2019 to investigate erring officials, prevent crime and ensure compliance. 

The Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 empowers Customs officers police in carrying out their duties.

Mr Adeniyi said those powers must be exercised within the law and remain open to public and judicial scrutiny.

“The NCS Act 2023 gives us police powers, but every search, arrest and detention must rest on lawful grounds and withstand public and judicial scrutiny,” he said.

AI to support probes

Mr Adeniyi said artificial intelligence, advanced scanners, geospatial tools and electronic cargo tracking could help Customs investigate criminal activities, noting however that technology must not replace officers’ judgement or the law.

“Algorithms may flag risks, but only officers acting within the law can exercise enforcement powers,” he said.

He called for audit trails, data protection and human oversight.

He said the Customs Service’s B’Odogwu platform brings functions such as declarations, valuation and risk management together, while an INTERPOL Data Centre at its headquarters gives officers access to international criminal databases.

Criminal networks exploiting trade routes

The Customs boss said criminal networks were using the same routes as legitimate traders to move firearm components, narcotics, fake medicines, protected wildlife and illicit funds, adding that some also used digital channels.

He called for closer co-operation with the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other agencies, as well as neighbouring countries and border communities.

Mr Adeniyi said the summit’s recommendations should also cover the training, welfare and professional development of Customs Police Unit personnel. 

He urged officers to uphold the unit’s founding principle of “no officer is above the law.”