The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has significantly enhanced its border security and intelligence-gathering capabilities with the deployment of an INTERPOL Data Centre at its Headquarters in Abuja, providing officers with direct access to one of the world’s largest criminal intelligence networks.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, announced the development during a demonstration of the facility, describing it as another milestone in the Service’s ongoing technology-driven transformation and intelligence-led enforcement strategy.
Speaking at the event, Adeniyi said the deployment underscores the NCS’ commitment to modernising its operations to tackle emerging transnational security threats through advanced technology and international collaboration.
“Customs enforcement has evolved beyond conventional compliance. Technology now plays a central role in combating transnational crime, and this platform will significantly strengthen our intelligence and enforcement capabilities,” the CGC stated.
He added that the planned signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Nigeria Customs Service and INTERPOL would further deepen operational collaboration and intelligence sharing between both organisations.
Adeniyi also showcased the Service’s indigenous digital platform, B’Odogwu, describing it as an innovative solution capable of enhancing trade facilitation not only in Nigeria but also across other Customs administrations on the African continent.
According to him, the platform reflects the Service’s commitment to deploying homegrown technology to improve efficiency, transparency and regional trade integration.
Speaking during the demonstration, INTERPOL Consultant, Chikwe Udensi, disclosed that the newly deployed facility is the eighth INTERPOL Data Centre in Africa, providing Nigeria Customs officers with access to more than 152 international criminal databases.
He explained that the databases contain information on stolen vehicles, vessels, cargo, parcels and other transported assets across the globe.
“The platform enables Customs officers to instantly verify whether goods or transport assets have been reported stolen anywhere in the world. This will strengthen investigations, improve border security and enhance revenue generation through real-time intelligence,” Udensi said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Enforcement, Investigation and Inspection, Timi Bomodi, revealed that officers have already undergone specialised training to effectively operate the system, which has been fully integrated into the Service’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.
Bomodi noted that beyond supporting criminal investigations, the platform would significantly improve cargo profiling, valuation and risk assessment by providing officers with accurate information on the description, origin and movement history of goods entering the country.
The deployment of the INTERPOL Data Centre is expected to bolster Nigeria Customs’ efforts to combat cross-border crimes, strengthen national security, improve trade integrity and enhance collaboration with international law enforcement agencies in addressing increasingly sophisticated transnational criminal activities.
