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Ah, Customs! That unyielding rampart between the inside and the outside, that vigilant border warrior, that... ruthless tax collector? It seems that in Niger, the heart of Customs is torn, and not just a little. The World Customs Organization (WCO), that bible of the modern customs officer, is full of publications and data, but even it cannot hide the obvious: Nigerian Customs seems to have made a choice that is... shall we say... interesting.
Formerly the Armed Wing,
In the past, Customs was spoken of as a major player in national security. The fight against arms smuggling, the tracking of terrorists, the interception of illicit trafficking... In short, a James Bond in a beige (or blue, depending on the day) uniform. But that was before. Before what, you ask? Well, before the sirens of finance rang out with irresistible force.
"Revenue mobilization," "optimization of trade flows," "trade facilitation"... All high-sounding terms which, translated into plain language, mean: "Bring in the money!" And too bad if, in the process, minor details like border security are overlooked. After all, who still cares about the details, right?
The WCO, Silent Witness (But Not Fooled)
The WCO, in its great wisdom, does not openly take sides. It merely publishes reports, statistics, recommendations... All discrete signals pointing to a blatant imbalance. We hear about capacity building in internal affairs management (A-CPI Program), the fight against corruption (that again!), but curiously, initiatives focused on security seem to have evaporated .
However, the WCO does not fail to emphasize the crucial importance of Customs in the fight against terrorism and transnational crime. But clearly, in Niger, there are other priorities. Expressions of satisfaction pour in for the seizure of goods (especially if they are taxable), but border security operations seem relegated to the back burner.
The Gordian Dilemma (and the crucial question)
So, deal or dilemma? The question deserves to be asked. Should security be sacrificed on the altar of finance? Must we choose between the role of police officer and that of tax collector? The answer, of course, is complex. But a crucial question arises, raised by a customs graduate: "Chief! In the context of the army's special operations, is the information regarding seized goods and the routes used by smugglers to supply criminal gangs and terrorists transmitted to Customs, since Customs is supposed to be permanently present on the ground, unlike the army? Or are these actions carried out based on customs information provided to the army, considering the reduced staff of the customs authority?"(K.I.D). A question that underscores a potentially detrimental lack of coordination.
Niger, Actor and No Longer Spectator
Furthermore, it is time for Niger to take the lead on the international stage. Instead of simply observing, the country must define the parameters of cooperation with state and transnational actors. Intelligence must become a central tool of this new offensive diplomacy, allowing Niger to fully integrate into international-scale projects.
A concrete example: by combining customs statistics with internal intelligence (army, police, gendarmerie, national guard...), the Nigerian Intelligence Community could guarantee the security of borders and trade, thereby increasing public revenue and cutting off supplies to armed groups. This approach could even be extended to the Alliance of Sahel States.
Customs on the Ground: a fragilized presence?
Customs brigades, certainly present throughout the territory, particularly at the borders, struggle to fully fulfill their missions with limited staff. Controls on persons, vehicles, goods, and transport are crucial, but the new doctrine, focused on tracking financial flows linked to all trafficking (narcotics, counterfeiting, etc.), requires reinforced means.
While the legislative arsenal has evolved (the possibility of establishing customs money laundering, of detaining suspicious cash), human and material resources seem insufficient. With fewer than 1,000 established customs officers, and a minimum estimate of 1,758 agents needed to ensure basic missions, how can effective coverage of the territory be hoped for? How could a 20-agent brigade, like those in Zinder or Agadez, secure borders as vast as those shared with Mali, Libya, and Chad? (For more information on the subject click here 👉 Human Resources Management
In Brief (and with a Wink)
Nigerian Customs seems to have opted for a strategy that is, to say the least... audacious. Between budgetary imperatives and security stakes, the heart is torn. And for now, it's the wallet that seems to have won the game. It remains to be seen whether this choice will pay off in the long term. But one thing is certain: the WCO must be observing all this with a mixture of interest and concern. And so are we, for that matter.
Conclusion: A crucial choice and adequate resources
Nigerian Customs faces a crucial choice. Between budgetary imperatives and security stakes, it is imperative to find a balance. But this balance cannot be achieved without a significant increase in the resources allocated to Customs (not just financial, but certainly human resources through direct recruitment of customs graduates without competition). Without this, good intentions and new doctrines risk remaining a dead letter. Meanwhile, security threats and revenue losses will continue to grow. It is therefore urgent to act, and to invest in human capacity building, so that Customs can truly play its role as a rampart, both economically and securely.
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