The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Ag. Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in Abuja.
During the meeting, Adeniyi raised alarm over the growing number of checkpoints that have sprung up along the Seme-Mile 2 Road.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) voiced its worries through a statement released by its National Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Friday.
The visit aimed to foster better collaboration between the NCS and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure improved security and safeguard lives and properties in the country.
Congratulating the IGP on his recent appointment, the Acting CGC, Adeniyi, assured him of the NCS’s commitment to join forces in tackling the nation’s security challenges head-on.
He expressed the NCS’s eagerness to learn from the Nigeria Police Force and strengthen cooperation through coordinated capacity-building programs, especially in areas of investigation and other crucial operational aspects.
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Addressing the gathering, Adeniyi emphasized that criminal activities were interconnected and called for a robust partnership between the NCS and the Nigeria Police Force to combat smuggling effectively. Curbing smuggling is vital for boosting the nation’s revenue, he added.
One of the major issues discussed during the meeting was the proliferation of checkpoints along the Seme-Mile 2 Road. Adeniyi recommended exploring the use of geospatial intelligence to enhance border monitoring and security measures.
Additionally, he expressed the NCS’s willingness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigeria Police Force to formalize their cooperation.
In response, the Ag. IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, warmly welcomed the CGC’s visit, commending his efforts in re-branding the NCS. Egbetokun lauded Adeniyi’s dedication to uplift the organization and expressed confidence in his leadership.
He assured the CGC of the Nigeria Police Force’s unwavering commitment to building a strong collaboration with other security agencies.
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Egbetokun further stressed the need for a seamless platform where all security services can interact, share intelligence, and leverage their respective expertise to address criminal activities effectively.
In an effort to address the proliferation of checkpoints, the Ag. IGP proposed a joint tour of the Mile 2-Seme area to assess the situation firsthand. He also pledged to conduct unscheduled visits to the region and vowed to dismantle any illegal checkpoints found along the route.
Both leaders underscored the importance of united action in the fight against criminal activities and pledged to strengthen their partnership to tackle security challenges in strategic locations across the country.