Customs orders mandatory drug screening for all officers

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has directed that mandatory drug screening be conducted for both new recruits and serving officers of the Service.

Dr. Adeniyi announced the directive during the closing session of the 2025 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja.

He said the measure is part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening integrity and professionalism within the Service, ensuring that no officer operates under conditions that could impair judgment or compromise national security.

According to him, drug testing will now form part of the final screening process for new recruits before the commencement of training, while serving personnel will undergo periodic testing as part of routine fitness checks.

“The new directive is aimed primarily at fresh intakes, but serving officers will also be captured as we move toward establishing a fully drug-free institution,” he said.

Dr. Adeniyi stated that the Service would no longer tolerate situations where sensitive operational decisions are made by personnel under the influence of substances. He noted that previous incidents of erratic behaviour in some Commands were later traced to substance misuse.

“There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel,” he said.

He emphasized that the drug screening exercise would be conducted across all Zones, Commands, and at the Headquarters, adding that officers involved in revenue collection, enforcement, and border management must maintain clear judgment at all times.

The Customs Comptroller-General also urged officers to prioritise their personal health through regular medical checkups, stressing that physical and mental fitness remain key to effective service delivery.

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