The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Dr. Bashir Adewale Adenyi, during the closing session of the 2025 CG conference in Abuja, has ordered compulsory drug screening for both serving officers and newly recruited officers of the service. He stated that the step is part of continuing reforms aimed at improving the Service's integrity and professionalism, ensuring that no officer works under conditions that could impair judgment or jeopardize national security.
According to him, drug testing will now be part of the final screening process for recruits before they begin training, and serving soldiers will be tested regularly as part of routine fitness checks.
Dr. Adeniyi warned that the Service would no longer accept instances in which officers made crucial operational decisions while under the influence of narcotics. He mentioned that earlier incidents of abnormal behavior in some Commands were eventually linked to substance abuse.
He highlighted that the drug screening exercise would take place throughout all Zones, Commands, and Headquarters, and that personnel participating in revenue collection, enforcement, and border control must always apply sound judgment.
The Customs Comptroller-General also urged officers to prioritize their personal health by scheduling regular medical examinations, emphasizing that physical and mental fitness remain critical to efficient service delivery.