By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, has reiterated the service’s commitment to using smart border technology to enhance regional security.
The CGC made this statement at the West Africa Border Security Week held in Lagos on Tuesday.
The Customs Chief, who was represented by Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, in charge of the Apapa Area Command, said that the service is meeting the demands of border protection.
He stated, “The conduct of Time Release Studies and the deployment of non-intrusive inspection technology have ensured that we can meet the demands of our border protection.
“Implementing this smart border technology in West Africa will also require a collaborative effort from governments, international organisations, and stakeholders to address the unique challenges and needs of the region.
“Regarding synergy with sister agencies, the CGC noted that numerous illicit items have been intercepted in recent months with the assistance of relevant security agencies.
“Regarding smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted a series of arms and ammunition. Just two months ago, we recorded 10 containers at Onne ports, as well as some at other ports,” he emphasised.
For her part, Mosunmola Onilade, Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration stated that effective interagency coordination is not only desirable but essential for reducing wasteful overlap and unnecessary rivalry.According to her, an interagency approach to crime prevention and control, as well as in preventing irregular migration, is not only imperative but very urgent.
“We cannot allow rivalry between stakeholders to affect our work, which would jeopardise our national security.
“A paper was presented by the Assistant Provost Marshal, Customs Police Unit Zone ‘A’, AC Tasiu Sanusi, on the topic: “Illicit Trade and Its Implications on Border Security: The Role of the Nigeria Customs Service.”