As part of efforts to enhance border management and trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has dissolved the Joint Patrol Border Team (JBPT). It has also reduced the number of checkpoints across the country.
The move is aimed at streamlining operations while easing the movement of goods and people.
Abdullahi Maiwada, National Public Relations Officer of the Customs, in a statement on Tuesday, said the measures approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, signals a shift towards intelligence-driven enforcement and strategic risk management frameworks.
The statement said; “The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline operations and ease the movement of goods and persons,” adding that the Customs Service also announces the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) after due consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
According to the NCS, the reduction in checkpoints will remove bottlenecks that have historically hindered trade while maintaining robust border security.
The Service also plans to deploy geospatial tools and advanced technologies to strengthen its enforcement operations.
The statement also revealed that the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), launched in 2019 under the code name “Ex-Swift Response,” was established to enforce Nigeria’s partial border closure policy, saying over time, the JBPT became a pivotal force in restricting the inflow of harmful goods and ensuring adherence to trade and security protocols.
However, the statement said, after extensive consultations with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) decided to dissolve the JBPT.
The statement stressed that the dissolution of the Joint Border Patrol Team signals a strategic shift toward adopting advanced and efficient border management practices.
While disbanding the JBPT, the NCS assured stakeholders that national border security would remain robust.
The Service explained that the reforms are part of a broader agenda to modernize customs operations, enhance trade compliance, and strengthen national security measures.
The Comptroller-General emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in combating economic sabotage, stating that these changes represent a bold step toward securing Nigeria’s borders and protecting its citizens.
Through the reforms, the NCS said it aims to lead the region in leveraging technology for effective and seamless border management.