The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has strengthened collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat smuggling and enhance national security.
The initiative followed a series of courtesy visits by the Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command to the security formations on Wednesday in Calabar.
The visits, led by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller, Nkeiruka Nwala, focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement and improved operational communication.
At the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Nwala, received by the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Patrick Alimikhena, stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation.
She said that the region’s geographical realities, particularly its extensive land and maritime routes, required sustained collaboration to tackle smuggling and emerging security threats.
‘’Cooperation between the customs service and the military is critical to securing border areas and protecting the nation’s economic interests,” she said.
Nwala said the engagements reflected the Command’s commitment to building productive relationships with sister agencies to improve operational effectiveness.
She reaffirmed the command’s commitment to the Comptroller-General of Customs’ strategic framework of Collaboration, Consolidation and Innovation.
In his remarks, Alimikhena, while welcoming the customs delegation, expressed the army’s readiness to collaborate with the NCS to curb smuggling and other economic crimes.
He said everything necessary and within the ambit of the law must be done to stop economic saboteurs.
Similarly, during a visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), the delegation was received on behalf of the Flag Officer Commanding by the Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Steven Ibrahim.
Ibrahim highlighted the Navy’s achievements in combating economic crimes, particularly sea piracy and oil theft, noting that intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration had contributed significantly to the successes.
He stressed that synergy among security agencies was essential to addressing the nation’s security challenges.
According to him, sustained partnerships will help combat smuggling, protect government revenue, facilitate legitimate trade, and strengthen national security.
Ibrahim said, “Our commitment remains a call to duty, and we are always ready to collaborate with sister security agencies to address these challenges.”
The Customs delegation also visited the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation in addressing security challenges and protecting critical national assets. (NAN)
