From Ogun borders to national command, Shuaibu’s iron resolve, intelligence-led operations, and zero tolerance for corruption set a new standard in Nigeria Customs Service.
By Temidayo Babalola
In Nigeria’s turbulent world of border security and customs enforcement, one name has come to stand tall, Assistant Comptroller General Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu. With a career defined by discipline, intelligence-driven operations, and an unyielding stand against compromise, Shuaibu has consistently shown what the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) can achieve when integrity and action go hand in hand.
Early Career and Rise Through the Ranks
While much of his personal background remains away from the public eye, Shuaibu’s professional trajectory speaks volumes. His early service at the Federal Operations Units (FOU) Zones A and B placed him at the heart of anti-smuggling battles. Later, as Coordinator of the Customs Strike Force, Zone A, Lagos, he oversaw some of the service’s most high-profile contraband seizures.
He subsequently served as Deputy Comptroller and Acting Controller before being posted as Customs Area Controller, Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko, one of Nigeria’s most volatile and porous border areas with the Republic of Benin.
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In April 2024, Shuaibu was deployed as Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone B, Kaduna, where he quickly demonstrated that his track record of firmness and integrity was no coincidence. His Kaduna posting produced one of the service’s most remarkable anti-wildlife smuggling feats: the interception of pangolin scales worth ₦3.9 billion. That landmark operation underlined his national relevance and paved the way for his elevation in 2025 to the prestigious rank of Assistant Comptroller General (ACG).
His Style: Integrity, Intelligence and Firm Enforcement
What distinguishes Shuaibu is not just the scale of his successes but his approach to leadership:
Intelligence-led enforcement: He insists on credible intelligence as the driver of operations. From pangolin scales to narcotics, rice, and contraband vehicles, seizures under his watch are a product of strategy, not chance.
Consistent anti-smuggling drive: Within his first week at Ogun 1, his command intercepted contraband worth ₦229.1 million, setting a tone of zero tolerance for smuggling.
Trade facilitation balanced with enforcement: Recognising the tension between border control and legitimate commerce, he reduced checkpoints on the Idiroko axis from 32 to 5, easing trade without lowering security.
Community collaboration: By engaging traditional rulers, youths, and security agencies, Shuaibu reframed border enforcement from confrontation to cooperation.
Fairness and discipline: Widely described as humble and detribalised, he is firm on corruption, treating officers and stakeholders with fairness and accountability.
Achievements That Stand Out
At Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko:
Seized contraband worth ₦229.1 million within his first week.
Grew revenue collections significantly, with October 2023 alone generating ₦30 million.
Ensured casualty-free operations in a volatile border terrain.
Improved officer welfare with medical upgrades, uniforms, and better facilities.
Supported host communities with educational materials and infrastructure.
At FOU Zone B, Kaduna (April 2024):
Led the seizure of 445.45kg of pangolin scales valued at ₦3.9 billion in Kebbi State on May 24, 2024.
The operation, based on intelligence, exposed a smuggling hideout in Zuru Town and was executed without casualties.
The seizure came barely two weeks after intercepting donkey bones and meat worth ₦3 billion, confirming his unit’s heightened crackdown on illegal wildlife trafficking.
He stressed Nigeria’s commitment to the CITES Convention, warning that wildlife traffickers often use such trade to launder money for drugs, arms, and other crimes.
His leadership ensured arrests, inter-agency collaboration, and a renewed national conversation on protecting endangered species.
These achievements reflect not one-off victories but a sustained pattern of integrity-led enforcement.
The Challenges Ahead
Border commands such as Idiroko and Kaduna present enormous difficulties. Smuggling cartels exploit rugged terrain, community complicity, and weak resources. Officers often operate under pressure with limited logistics and technology. Meanwhile, the public demands visible seizures but also criticises delays and perceived harassment at checkpoints.
Shuaibu has managed these contradictions with balance, driving results while minimising friction. Yet, as he assumes a broader national role, these challenges multiply. The expectation is now for him to replicate his command successes at a service-wide scale.
Character and Legacy
Beyond seizures and figures, Shuaibu’s enduring strength lies in his values. Colleagues and community leaders often describe him as:
A man of unyielding integrity: Refusing bribery, nepotism, or compromise.
Humble and accessible: Willing to listen despite his senior rank.
Disciplined and transparent: Demanding accountability from officers while keeping the public informed.
Visionary: Seeing customs enforcement not only as seizures but as institution building revenue collection, officer welfare, and public trust.
In a sector often tarnished by allegations of corruption and shortcuts, his reputation sets him apart.
Looking Ahead
As Assistant Comptroller General, Shuaibu faces the task of expanding his impact beyond one command. Strategic imperatives likely to define his tenure include:
Investment in technology: Non-intrusive inspection systems, data analytics, and surveillance tools.
Officer welfare and training: Ensuring personnel in volatile border regions have the equipment, incentives, and protection they need.
Enhanced collaboration: Strengthening ties with security agencies and border communities to reduce smuggling incentives.
Institutional transparency: Regular audits, public reports, and accountability mechanisms to maintain trust.
Conclusion
Assistant Comptroller General Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu today stands as more than a customs officer but a sentinel of Nigeria’s borders. His discipline, humility, and integrity driven enforcement have transformed commands under his watch and set new benchmarks for the NCS.
His journey reminds us that enforcement without integrity is hollow, leadership without humility is brittle, and that in matters of national security, consistency matters more than heroics. If sustained, his model could redefine the future of Nigeria Customs, anchoring it on the pillars of fairness, firmness, and trust.
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