Photo: The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi, right, with the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, left, during the latter’s courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
CGC underscores strengthening interagency collaboration with armed forces to curb smuggling, insecurity
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Mr Adewale Adeniyi, has underscored the need for strengthening interagency collaboration between the Customs Service and armed forces with the view to curbing smuggling and enhancing national security.
The CGC made this known when he received in audience the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
A statement issued by NCS spokesman, Abdullahi Maida, on Friday, in Abuja, said that Adeniyi lauded the existing collaborative efforts between the NCS and the armed forces, while underscoring the critical role that such partnerships play in enhancing national security.
According to the statement, the CGC also reiterated the commitment of the NCS towards interagency collaboration, innovation, and consultations, especially in the face of current global challenges, adding that unity strengthens the nation and agencies are stronger when they work together.
Maiwada said that Adeniyi, while reflecting on past collaborations with the Defense Headquarters, highlighted the support which the NCS received in terms of capacity building, joint operations, and training exercises.
He said that the CGC expressed the NCS’ dedication to exploring innovative solutions to challenges, leveraging technology, working closely with other government agencies, as well as proposed an intensified joint exercise between the Customs and the military.
The Customs spokesman said the CGC further suggested unannounced frequent interagency operations to demonstrate a show of force as a deterrent to criminals and emphasized the importance of shared experiences in training, facilitating a better understanding of operational contexts.
While expressing gratitude for the support provided by the armed forces in various operations, particularly in civil-military cooperation initiatives, Adeniyi underscored the significance of information sharing and the need for collaborative efforts to address porous borders and challenges posed by non-state actors.
The CGC also reiterated NCS’ commitment to national security and proposed the strengthening of ongoing cooperation, dialogue, and joint exercises to ensure a collective and effective response to evolving security threats and assured the CDS of NCS’s continued support, stressing the prioritization of clearing military consignments and participation in training programs.
Earlier in his address, Gen. Musa expressed gratitude for the critical role played by the NCS in the nation’s security landscape and highlighted the indispensability of NCS, noting that without its contribution, the country’s defense efforts would be severely compromised.
The statement further said that Musa lauded Adeniyi for his exemplary leadership and dedication since assuming office, and acknowledged the challenges faced by the country, particularly in the global economic downturn.
It said that the CDS stressed the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling non-state actors and securing the nation, and cherished the significant support which the military received from NCS, particularly in civil-military cooperation initiatives.
Gen Musa also highlighted the need for enhanced collaboration, training, and information sharing between the armed forces and Customs, the statement further quoted the CDS as saying.
