Customs, Navy deepen synergy to tackle waterways smuggling, enhance security

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Western Marine Command and the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Badagry have strengthened their joint efforts to safeguard the waterways, prevent smuggling and illegal activities within the maritime environment and protect lives and property.
The joint partnership was strengthened when the Acting Customs Area Controller, NCS Western Marine Command, Thomas Jonah paid an official courtesy visit to the FOB Base Commander, Naval Captain Sa’id Kabir, yesterday in Badagry, Lagos.
According to a statement issued by the Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Adewumi Rasheed, the visit focused on strengthening inter-agency cooperation to improve security along Nigeria’s waterways.
This is just as smugglers prepare to smuggling goods into the country as the yuletide season approaches, including the influx of fake products, illicit drugs as well as the movement of premium motor spirit (PMS) via the waterways.
The visit follows the recent seizures of 14,100 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), 204 bags of foreign parboiled rice and 40 cartons of assorted cosmetic products with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N83.12 million, in a series of anti-smuggling operations along the country’s waterways.

During the visit, Jonah emphasised the need for stronger collaboration, mutual support and a cordial working relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Navy to enhance security across the waterways.
He solicited the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Navy in strengthening joint efforts to safeguard the waterways, protect lives and properties, prevent illegal activities within the maritime environment.
In his response, Kabir assured Customs of the Nigerian Navy’s readiness to support and collaborate with the Command towards achieving their shared security objectives.
He said visit reaffirmed the commitment of both agencies to sustained inter-agency cooperation, effective information sharing and coordinated efforts towards ensuring safer waterways and strengthening national security.