Customs vows to strengthen ties with security agencies to tackle trans-border crimes

By Abiodun OBA

Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for synergy with security agencies in Katsina state to combat cross-border and internal security threats posed to the nation by criminal elements.

Nigerian Army (NA), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and other security agencies in Katsina state promised to maintain cooperation when the Controller of the Katsina Area Command of the NCS, Mohammed Abubakar Umar, paid them courtesy visits in their respective offices in Katsina, the state capital on Thursday and Friday.

Speaking at the Headquarters of the 17 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Katsina, the Controller solicited the cooperation of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, in curbing trans-border crimes in the state.

He advocated the need for a joint security taskforce and credible intelligence sharing among military and paramilitary agencies in the state to tame trans-border crimes and other security challenges bedeviling the state.

He explained that the sharing of credible intelligence would further enhance national security and foster friendship, and unity, and eliminate all forms of reveries among security agencies in the State.

“The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Customs Service from time immemorial have been working in the areas of border management, intelligence sharing, and capacity building. So, I am here to further cement the existing relationship and to do more,” he said.

Responding, Brigadier-general Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, said the Nigerian Army will continue to work assiduously with the NCS in tackling trans-border crimes, banditry, and other security challenges in the state.

He reiterated that the Nigerian troops would not relent on their oars until the criminal gangs terrorizing communities in the state were completely flushed out, adding that intelligence sharing remains cardinal in the ongoing war against the hoodlums.

At the State Police Command, the Controller, told the Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, that the Nigeria Customs Service is ever-ready to work with the police to facilitate trade in the state without compromising national security.

He reaffirmed NCS’ determination and commitment to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to curb cross-border crimes, especially the smuggling of small arms and light weapons in the state.

According to him, “We are also going to resuscitate the joint security taskforce and other security measures that will help in nipping in the bud banditry and other crimes in the society”.

In his remarks, CP Abubakar Aliyu Musa said that the Command would accord the NCS the needed cooperation and support to address smuggling and other trans-border crimes for development and legitimate economic activities to thrive.

He, however, said the synergy among security agencies in the state had significantly reduced the spate of crime and criminality, especially in frontline local government areas of the state, including Katsina town.

“It is because of that synergy that people are attesting that security has improved greatly in Katsina. The synergy should not only be visiting each other but let it go down to our other ranks,” CP Musa added.

The Controller of the Katsina Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, also visited the Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammed Adamu, where he also advocated the need for synergy to end the activities of those he termed economic saboteurs.

He said the NCS was desirous of a collaborative effort of all security agencies towards intelligence sharing, decimating criminals, and providing a peaceful atmosphere for Nigerians.

In his response, Controller Adamu described the courtesy call as the right step towards cementing the already existing relationship among security agencies in the state.

He explained that 3,260 foreigners were residing in Katsina State and most of them are into smuggling activities at different border communities in the state, but the closure of the borders had nipped their heinous activities in the bud.

He said the foreigners were uncovered through a recent census conducted by the Command and many of them had been repatriated back to their countries because their “stay in Katsina was not legal.”

Comptroller Mohammed Abubakar Umar also visited the Katsina State Commands of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCSo) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) where they all assured readiness to ensure effective partnership in all ramifications for better service delivery in the State as contained in a statement by Tahir Balarabe, Superintendent of Customs, Public Relations Officer.