Customs, Army strengthen joint effort to curb smuggling in southwest waters

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command, and the Nigerian Army have strengthened collaboration to intensify crackdowns on smuggling along the nation’s southwestern waterways.

The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, said this during a courtesy visit by Lt.- Col. A.E. Amangele, Commanding Officer, 15 Field Engineer Regiment, at the command’s headquarters in Apapa, Lagos on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit featured high-level discussions focused on intelligence sharing, joint operations and improved inter-agency cooperation.

Ntadi stressed that tackling smuggling required collective effort, noting that illicit trade continues to undermine government revenue and economic stability.

According to him, the vast nature of the waterways and the sophistication of smugglers make collaboration among security agencies imperative.

“Smugglers make huge profits while the country suffers significant losses. This is a challenge no single agency can handle alone.

“The waterways are expansive and difficult to monitor, which is why we rely on synergy with sister agencies, including the Nigerian Navy and the Army, to achieve results,” he said.

Ntadi described the Army’s visit as a positive step toward strengthening operational support and enhancing enforcement capacity.

Earlier, Amangele said the visit was aimed at fostering stronger working relationships and boosting operational synergy between the Army and the Customs.

He said the engagement focused on intelligence sharing and coordinated strategies to curb criminal activities along the waterways.

“It is important to build strong relationships with other security agencies within our area of responsibility to enhance effectiveness.

“This visit is part of efforts to strengthen collaboration and ensure seamless operations in tackling smuggling and other security challenges,” he said.

NAN reports that the renewed partnership is expected to enhance surveillance, improve enforcement and reduce smuggling activities across the region.

(NAN)