The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it is forming alliance with the Nigerian Immigration Service, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and other security and intelligence agencies to curtail terrorism, banditry and other trans-border security issues.
Point News247 reports that the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Alli, made this disclosure on Thursday, at the maiden edition of the Port Industry Town Hall Meeting organised by “The JournalNg”.
At the town hall meeting tagged: “Towards Hitch-free Port Operations in Nigeria”, several stakeholders in the maritime industry, we in attendance to proffer solutions to recent challenges facing the industry.
The CG who was represented at the meeting by Deputy Controller Kikelomo Adeola, DC in charge of revenue at Tincan Island Port command of the service stated that the service is not resting on her oars to nip every form of trans-border insecurity in the bid.
The collaboration, according to the CG, is to function in four geo-political zones adding that the synergy would be coordinated by the office of the National Security Adviser
He stated that “Nigeria Customs Service is partnering the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force as well as all security and intelligence agencies to conduct joint border security operations for quick response coordinated by the office of the National Security Adviser in four geo-political areas.
“The South South, the South West, the North Central and the North West to promote inter agency collaboration and addressing trans-border security challenges such as terrorism, armed banditry, smuggling and proliferation of light arms and small weapons
“The Nigeria Customs Service is not resting on her oars.”
Earlier, the Service had acknowledged the efforts of the federal government in acquisition of scanners at the ports to facilitate trade in the ports.
Other stakeholders such as Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Kaduna Inland Dry Port; Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agents etc also made contributions