The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has marked the first anniversary of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Customs Cares, with the commissioning of a major school project in Abuja.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, unveiled the intervention on Tuesday at Government Secondary School Wuse, describing it as a milestone in the agency’s community development efforts.

“What we have seen here today shows clearly that we did not make a mistake in adopting this school,” Mr Adeniyi said.

“The performance by the students reflects the impact of what has been done.”

The project includes renovated facilities, solar-powered lighting, CCTV installation and new educational materials aimed at improving both safety and learning conditions.

Why it matters

Education experts say targeted infrastructure upgrades can significantly improve student outcomes in public schools.

Adeniyi said the intervention goes beyond physical improvements, focusing on confidence-building and personal development.

“This is not just about infrastructure. It is about creating opportunities for young people to grow, interact and build confidence for the future,” he said.

Nigeria’s public school system has long faced challenges including poor infrastructure and limited resources, making partnerships like this increasingly important.

What has changed at the school

According to the school’s principal, Josephine Ugwu, the intervention has transformed the learning environment.

“These facilities have transformed our environment. The hall will now serve as a centre for learning, cultural activities and talent development,” she said.

The upgrade includes:

Renovation of a multi-purpose hall

Installation of CCTV cameras

Solar-powered street lighting

Distribution of educational materials

School authorities say the improvements have already strengthened both academic performance and student engagement.

Government and institutional response

The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Education Board, Danlami Hayyo, described the project as a strong example of institutional collaboration.

“This intervention goes beyond infrastructure. It represents a commitment to the future of these students and to the broader goal of sustainable development,” he said.

He added that such initiatives open the door for deeper partnerships between government agencies and the education sector.

Inside the ‘Customs Cares’ initiative

The Customs Cares programme was launched to address development gaps in communities where the NCS operates.

The Comptroller in charge of the unit, Patience Ibrahim, said the initiative has expanded rapidly within its first year.

“In just one year, the initiative has grown into a recognised platform for delivering impactful projects across the country,” she said.

“This intervention reflects the Service’s commitment to education as a driver of national development.”

Sustainability concerns

CGC Adeniyi warned that many public projects fail due to poor maintenance and called for stronger partnerships to sustain the investment.

“Our office remains open for further collaboration, but we must ensure that what has been provided is properly sustained,” he said.

He also urged students to make full use of the facilities, particularly in developing communication and public speaking skills.

Community engagement and activities

The event also featured community-focused activities, including a basketball match between Customs officials and students.

Tree planting exercises involving senior officials and education stakeholders were also held, reinforcing environmental awareness.

Delta State police have arrested two additional suspects in connection with the January murder of 31-year-old Alex Adanike in Agbhara-Otor, authorities confirmed on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Adanike was reportedly shot and stabbed by members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro Bagger, who mistakenly believed he was his twin brother, Okpako Adanike.

Background: Fatal Mistaken Identity

Earlier investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, Warri Ochuko and Lucky Okohwoake, who confessed to involvement in the killing. The latest operation, conducted in Ughelli and Warri by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, apprehended Tega Michael, 26, and Tena Sagbene, 32.

Authorities say the new arrests were based on intelligence gathered from the initial suspects, who identified the two as co-perpetrators of the murder.

Court Proceedings and Confessions

All four suspects were arraigned before the Ughelli High Court on Tuesday and remanded in prison custody. Police confirmed that the suspects have confessed to participating in the murder.

“The arrests demonstrate the importance of proactive policing, including intelligence gathering, raids, and stop-and-search operations,” said the Delta State Police Command in a statement. “These measures help prevent crime and restore peace and sanity in the state.”

Police Statement: Fighting Crime on All Fronts

Commissioner of Police lauded officers for taking the fight directly to criminal hideouts, making the state increasingly uninhabitable for lawbreakers. Residents were urged to respect the rule of law and cooperate with law enforcement.

“We commend our officers for sustaining the fight against crime and criminality. Delta State is becoming unsafe for criminals,” the statement added.

Why It Matters

The arrests highlight the ongoing threat posed by cult-related violence in southern Nigeria and the role of targeted raids in tackling organized crime. Police stress that public cooperation remains essential for successful crime prevention.

The family of Mr Akintayo Olanrewaju, a driver employed by the Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Ifako, Ijaye, Lagos State, has raised concerns over his sudden disappearance.

Olanrewaju was last seen on Friday morning, when he left home to retrieve a faulty official vehicle from a mechanic. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown.

“On Friday morning, he told them at home that he was going to the mechanic to retrieve the vehicle so he could take it back to the office. That was the last time he was seen,” said Pastor Ben Oyebanji, Senior Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church, Revival Chapel, Abule-Egba, who has been assisting the family.

Conflicting Accounts Raise Alarm

Several days into the search, the family says there has been little progress. Pastor Oyebanji expressed concerns about what he described as a lack of urgency from both the LCDA authorities and the police.

He explained that Olanrewaju initially contacted the official mechanic on Thursday after the vehicle developed a fault. The mechanic reportedly came to pick up the car, but when asked, claimed not to have seen Olanrewaju on the day he went missing.

Meanwhile, the Personal Assistant to the LCDA Vice Chairman said he spoke with Olanrewaju on the morning of his disappearance. The driver allegedly informed him he did not have money to get to the workshop and asked for a bank transfer. Attempts to reach Olanrewaju later were unsuccessful.

“There are too many unanswered questions. What is really happening? These conflicting accounts are why people are getting worried,” Pastor Oyebanji said.

Concerns About Official Response

The cleric criticized the LCDA authorities for leaving the family to handle the search and for not immediately reporting the disappearance to the police.

“The local government people are not forthcoming. They are the ones who are supposed to go to the police station and make official complaints, but they left everything to the family,” Oyebanji said.

He added that police action only began after he personally accompanied the family to the station.

“They made a report earlier, but nothing had been done until I got there. Only then did they talk about reaching out to other stations,” he noted.

Why It Matters

The case highlights concerns about safety and accountability for public servants in Lagos. Families of missing persons often face delays in official responses, raising questions about institutional support and the efficiency of law enforcement.

Authorities have yet to provide an update on the investigation.