DECAN Honours Customs CG for Border Security, Trade Facilitation

The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has honoured the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, for his contributions to border security, trade facilitation and effective public communication.

Adeniyi received the awards on behalf of the Service at DECAN’s 2026 Conference and Awards Ceremony held in Abuja on October 12.

The recognition followed the NCS’s efforts in strengthening national security, protecting the economy, facilitating legitimate trade and promoting transparency through effective stakeholder engagement.

In its commendation, DECAN acknowledged the Service’s intensified anti-smuggling operations, intelligence-driven enforcement, revenue generation and deployment of technology to facilitate trade and combat trans-border crimes.

The association also recognised the role of the NCS National Public Relations Officer in promoting public awareness and transparency, noting that effective communication had enhanced public understanding of Customs operations, modernisation initiatives and statutory responsibilities.

DECAN further highlighted the growing importance of technology, data analytics, intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration in tackling smuggling, trafficking and other illicit cross-border activities.

The association said these measures were essential to protecting Nigeria’s economic interests and strengthening the country’s security architecture.

The awards underscore the importance of intelligence-led operations and strategic communication in modern security management, particularly as the Customs Service implements reforms to improve operational efficiency, secure the nation’s borders and support the Federal Government’s economic objectives.

The conference, themed, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” brought together senior military and security officials, government representatives, policymakers and journalists to discuss emerging threats and strategies for strengthening national security.

Participants examined the role of technological innovation, intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and effective public communication in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

DECAN is a professional association of journalists covering defence, security and military affairs in Nigeria. It promotes accurate and responsible security reporting while fostering constructive engagement among the media, government and security institutions.