Customs, police strengthen cooperation against smuggling

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has called for enhanced cooperation between its agency and the Nigeria Police Force, as well as other security agencies, to address smuggling and other trans-border criminal activities. Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, the Acting Comptroller of FOU Zone A, made this statement during a visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration.

The visit, which commenced on October 14, 2026, was part of a broader initiative to engage various security and law enforcement bodies in Lagos. Afeni emphasized the critical role of closer cooperation among security agencies, particularly as Nigeria approaches an election period when crime rates tend to rise due to potential illicit activities. He stressed the importance of unified efforts to prevent these elements from succeeding in their illicit endeavors.

Afeni further highlighted that the responsibilities of the Federal Operations Unit extend beyond border enforcement to involve safeguarding national interests through effective intelligence sharing and coordinated operations. He stressed that no single security agency can effectively combat criminal activities in isolation, underscoring the necessity of sustained collaboration and information exchange among relevant institutions.

The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Tijani Fatai, welcomed the visit and acknowledged the longstanding cooperation between the Nigeria Customs Service and the police. He affirmed that this strong relationship has contributed significantly to their operational successes, noting Lagos' size as a contributing factor to the robustness of their partnership.

During the visit, the NCS delegation also met with officials from various other security agencies, including the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Nigerian Immigration Service, among others. The agencies discussed practical areas of cooperation, such as intelligence sharing, joint operations, information exchange, and enforcing relevant laws within Lagos and the broader operational area of FOU Zone A. These agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service to bolster security, enforce laws, and protect Nigeria's economic interests.