The Nigeria Customs Service has been speaking on its recently introduced policy, which enforces mandatory drug test on new recruits as well as serving officers and men of the Service, insisting that it is in line with efforts to achieve “a fully drug-free institution.”

Under the new policy announced during its just concluded conference held in Abuja, the Service will subject all incoming officers and men to a mandatory substance test as part of the ongoing recruitment exercise.

According to the Comptroller General of the Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR: “This decision was informed by experiences where erratic behaviour or poor decision-making in some Commands was later linked to substance misuse.

“There will be no compromise. We are going to ensure that every new officer is tested so that we do not begin to spend Service resources rehabilitating personnel.”

He further said the new policy was designed to ensure that no recruit enters the Service with substance-abuse tendencies that could compromise judgment, security responsibilities, or operational integrity.

According to him, the new directive is aimed primarily at the fresh intake of recruits, but serving officers will also be captured as the Service moves towards establishing what he described as “a fully drug-free institution.”

It was learnt that the mandatory drug test would also be carried out for all officers and men across all Zones, Commands and at the Headquarters, noting that the Service would no longer tolerate a situation where personnel make sensitive decisions while under the influence of drugs.

“The era of overlooking early signs of substance abuse in the ranks was over, officers assigned to revenue collection, enforcement and border security must possess sound judgment at all times.

“Officers are to prioritise their personal health and undergo regular medical checks, physical and mental fitness remain essential to effective service delivery”, the CGC further warned.