The Traffic

Customs Revolution: Border Patrol Team Dissolved, Checkpoints Cut in Nationwide Overhaul

By Achimi muktar 

In a landmark move to streamline border management and enhance trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) and a significant reduction in customs checkpoints across the nation. These sweeping reforms are part of the Service’s 2025 Enforcement Strategy, signaling a bold shift toward intelligence-driven border operations.

A New Era of Border Management

The announcement, made by Abdullahi Maiwada, Assistant Comptroller of Customs and National Public Relations Officer, revealed that Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has approved these changes to remove long-standing trade bottlenecks while maintaining robust border security.

“The Comptroller-General of Customs has approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons,” the statement read. The dissolution of the JBPT, established in 2019 under the code name "Ex-Swift Response," follows extensive consultations with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Why Dissolve the JBPT?

Initially launched to enforce Nigeria’s partial border closure policy, the JBPT played a crucial role in curbing the inflow of contraband and upholding trade protocols. However, as part of its modernization agenda, the NCS is now adopting advanced geospatial tools and technologies to enhance enforcement operations and manage borders more effectively.

The Service emphasized that the disbandment of the JBPT is not a weakening of border security but a strategic pivot to smarter, tech-driven border enforcement. The reforms aim to bolster trade compliance, streamline customs operations, and strengthen Nigeria’s overall security framework.

Easing Trade, Securing Borders

The reduction of checkpoints nationwide is expected to alleviate the frustrations of traders and travelers who have long complained about delays and inefficiencies. By leveraging modern technology, the NCS seeks to eliminate unnecessary roadblocks while maintaining a high level of vigilance against economic sabotage.

Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s borders through collaboration and innovation. “These changes represent a bold step toward securing our nation’s borders while facilitating seamless trade and movement,” he stated.

A Blueprint for the Future

With these reforms, the Nigeria Customs Service aims to set a new benchmark in border management across the region. By embracing technology and strategic risk management frameworks, the NCS is positioning itself as a leader in efficient, secure, and trade-friendly customs operations.

For traders, travelers, and stakeholders, these measures mark the beginning of a more efficient and transparent customs regime. As Nigeria steps into a new era of border management, the nation looks poised to balance security with economic growth, paving the way for a thriving trade ecosystem.