By Peace Udugba
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has enhanced its border security and intelligence-gathering capabilities with the deployment of an INTERPOL Data Centre at its headquarters in Abuja, providing officers with access to one of the world’s largest criminal intelligence networks.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this during a demonstration of the facility, describing it as a major milestone in the Service’s technology-driven transformation and intelligence-led enforcement strategy.
According to Adeniyi, Customs enforcement has evolved beyond conventional compliance, with technology now playing a central role in combating transnational crime. He added that the planned signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with INTERPOL would further strengthen collaboration between both organisations.
The Customs boss also highlighted the Service’s indigenous B’Odogwu platform, describing it as an innovative digital solution capable of supporting trade facilitation in Nigeria and across other African customs administrations.
Speaking on the development, Chikwe Udensi, an INTERPOL consultant, said the facility is the eighth INTERPOL Data Centre in Africa. He explained that it gives Customs officers access to more than 152 global criminal databases containing information on stolen vehicles, vessels, cargo, parcels and other transported assets.
Udensi noted that the platform enables officers to instantly verify whether goods or transport assets have been reported stolen anywhere in the world, thereby strengthening investigations, border security and revenue generation through real-time intelligence.
Also speaking, Timi Bomodi, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, said officers have already been trained to operate the system, which has been fully integrated into the Service’s ICT infrastructure.
Bomodi added that the platform will further enhance cargo profiling, valuation and risk assessment by providing accurate information on the description, origin and status of goods moving through the nation’s borders.
