The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Command, has moved to strengthen collaboration with sister security agencies to improve border security, promote legitimate trade and enhance intelligence sharing.
The initiative followed a series of familiarisation visits by the Acting Area Controller of the Command, Deputy Comptroller Dr Nkiru Nwala, to the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Department of State Services (DSS).
During the visits, Nwala met with the NSCDC Commandant, C. E. Okarazu; the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Aniekan Archibong Nya; and the State Director of the DSS, Dr Faluyi Oluwole.
The engagements were aimed at strengthening existing relationships, improving institutional cooperation and establishing direct communication channels with the agencies following her assumption of duty.
According to the Command, the discussions focused on developing a coordinated approach to security challenges, facilitating lawful trade and supporting national development through closer cooperation among security and law enforcement institutions.
The Customs Command noted that effective intelligence sharing and joint operations were essential to improving responses to security threats and ensuring the effective discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
It added that the initiative reflected the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency partnerships and improving operational efficiency across its areas of responsibility.
The Command also said the move aligned with the Comptroller-General of Customs’ strategic mantra of Consolidation, Innovation and Collaboration, which prioritises strengthening existing partnerships, adopting improved approaches to operational challenges and promoting unity among security agencies.
The collaboration is expected to improve information exchange and coordination among the agencies, particularly in addressing shared security concerns and enforcing relevant laws.
The Customs Service maintains that stronger partnerships with other security institutions are important to safeguarding national interests while ensuring that legitimate commercial activities can continue within the country’s regulatory framework.
