{
  "id": 14952745,
  "title": "Customs, police strengthen cooperation against smuggling",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/customs-police-strengthen-cooperation-against-smuggling-14952745",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T12:36:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/customs-police-strengthen-cooperation-against-smuggling/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for enhanced collaboration between its Federal Operations Unit (FOU) in Zone A and the Nigeria Police Force, as well as other security agencies, to combat smuggling and trans-border crimes. Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni made this appeal during a visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, emphasizing the significance of stronger inter-agency cooperation as the country nears the election period. Afeni highlighted the NCS's role beyond border enforcement, including intelligence sharing and coordinated operations, stressing that no single agency can effectively combat criminal activities without cooperation. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, welcomed the visit, noting a long-standing relationship between the NCS and other security agencies in Lagos, which has contributed to their operational successes. The Customs delegation visited various security agencies in Ikeja, including the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Army's 9 Brigade, to discuss practical areas of collaboration, such as intelligence sharing, joint operations, and enforcement of laws.",
  "summary": "The Nigeria Customs Service FOU Zone A has called for stronger collaboration with the police and other agencies to combat smuggling and trans-border crimes Read More: https://punchng.com/customs-police-strengthen-cooperation-against-smuggling/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Customs, police strengthen cooperation against smuggling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/customs-police-strengthen-cooperation-against-smuggling",
        "published": "2026-10-16T12:12:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}