The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the United States Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has commenced a Counter-Proliferation Team Training Programme aimed at strengthening the capacity of Customs officers to combat the illicit movement of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), strategic goods and dual-use materials.
The training, which began on 22 July 2026 at the NCS Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, is designed to equip officers with the skills required to prevent, detect and disrupt the proliferation of sensitive materials that could pose national and global security threats.
Declaring the programme open on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Suleiman Chiroma, described the initiative as another milestone in the longstanding partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Defence Threat Reduction Agency.
Chiroma expressed appreciation to the United States Government through DTRA for its continued support in strengthening Nigeria’s counter-proliferation capabilities.
“Our sincere appreciation goes to the Defence Threat Reduction Agency of the United States of America for its unwavering commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, detect and disrupt the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other related materials through its International Counter-Proliferation Programme,” he said.
Representing the Defence Threat Reduction Agency, Major Brittany Brown commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its hospitality and reaffirmed DTRA’s commitment to sustaining the collaboration.
She noted that the training builds on the success of Phase One conducted in 2024, adding that the curriculum has been adapted to reflect the operational realities and perspectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The programme featured technical presentations by senior Customs officers, highlighting the Service’s evolving role in counter-proliferation efforts and the importance of institutionalising effective identification, monitoring and control measures to prevent strategic materials from falling into the hands of non-state actors.
Participants also received extensive training on international non-proliferation frameworks, regulations governing strategic and dual-use materials, as well as the critical role of international cooperation in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
The initiative underscored the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enhancing border security, improving national security architecture and strengthening collaboration with international partners in addressing emerging global security challenges.
