Nigeria Customs Service Gains Access to Global Criminal Data

Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, announced that the INTERPOL data center at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters now provides access to all global criminal databases. This announcement was made during the Inaugural Summit of the Nigeria Customs Police Unit (CPU) in Abuja.

Adeniyi highlighted that the NCS Act 2023 grants police powers to the Customs Service, emphasizing that all actions such as searches, arrests, and detentions must be based on lawful grounds and withstand public and judicial scrutiny. He pointed out the sophistication of criminal networks that exploit legitimate trade routes for illegal activities.

Adeniyi stressed the importance of data as a valuable asset and mentioned the integration of various processes onto a single platform. He urged the CPU to utilize technology, including artificial intelligence and electronic cargo tracking, while ensuring that enforcement actions are conducted lawfully with proper oversight.