The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has described Kebbi State as one of the most strategically important states for Nigeria’s border security, revenue generation, and regional trade facilitation.
Adeniyi stated this on Saturday during a courtesy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and reopen regulated border trade corridors with neighbouring countries.
Kebbi State shares extensive land borders with the Republic of Benin and Niger Republic and hosts key entry points, including the Illela–Birnin Kebbi trade axis and the River Niger corridor, making it central to Nigeria’s customs, trade, and security architecture.
“When Kebbi coughs, the Nigeria Customs Service catches cold. That is how important this state is to our operations,” the Comptroller-General said.
Adeniyi noted that Kebbi State has produced several distinguished officers who played critical roles in shaping the Nigeria Customs Service, adding that their contributions remain relevant to national development.
“We cannot talk about the history of the Nigeria Customs Service without mentioning Kebbi. Some of our most respected leaders in Customs came from this state and served this country with distinction,” he stated.
He said the Service is committed to sustaining that legacy by mentoring younger officers to become future leaders, not only within the Customs Service but in national and community leadership.
While reaffirming Customs’ mandate of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and border protection, Adeniyi expressed concern over increasing security threats along border communities, including smuggling, banditry, arms trafficking, drug abuse, kidnapping, and money laundering.
According to him, criminal groups operate through coordinated networks, making it imperative for security agencies to work in a unified and coordinated manner.
“These crimes do not operate in isolation. Bandits, arms smugglers, drug dealers, and money launderers depend on one another. If criminals are coordinated, then security agencies must be even more coordinated,” Adeniyi said.
He commended the Kebbi State Government for providing a model of inter-agency cooperation, describing the state’s security architecture as one of the best examples of coordinated response in the country.
“What we have seen here is unity of purpose. Security agencies sit together, work together, and take responsibility together. This kind of coordination is what Nigeria needs,” he added.
The Comptroller-General disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reopening of regulated transit trade corridors through Kebbi State, subject to strict security and operational guidelines.
He explained that discussions are ongoing with neighbouring countries and key stakeholders to ensure that trade expansion does not compromise national security.
“We are ready to open up transit trade, but we will do so in a controlled and guided manner. Economic prosperity must not come at the expense of national security,” Adeniyi said.
He revealed that more than 1,700 trucks are currently awaiting clearance across the border and assured that Customs would deploy monitoring mechanisms to prevent infiltration by criminal elements.
To address infrastructure pressure, Adeniyi said Customs is considering a system where transit vehicles would contribute to infrastructure maintenance, while calling on the state government to provide modern truck parks, welfare facilities, and security support along the trade corridors.
In his response, Governor Nasir Idris welcomed the Comptroller-General and his delegation, describing the visit as timely and historic.
The governor reaffirmed Kebbi State’s commitment to partnering with the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure effective border management, economic growth, and improved security.
“Security is the foundation of development. Without security, there can be no meaningful progress,” Governor Idris said.
He assured that the state government would support infrastructure development and social amenities in border communities to facilitate smooth trade operations.
Governor Idris also commended Adeniyi’s leadership, noting that recent reforms have repositioned the Nigeria Customs Service for greater efficiency and accountability.
“Your leadership has transformed the Nigeria Customs Service. The records speak for themselves,” he said.
The engagement underscored the shared commitment of federal and state authorities to strengthening border security, enhancing trade, and promoting economic prosperity in Kebbi State and Nigeria at large.
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