By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, took a proactive step towards bolstering efforts against smuggling activities by forging a closer collaboration with the Nigerian Navy (NN).
In a recent courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the CGC indicated the importance of joint operations and intelligence-sharing between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the NN.
During the visit on Tuesday, February 19, 2024, at the Nigerian Navy Headquarters in Abuja, CGC Adeniyi reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the relationship between the two agencies to combat smuggling effectively across Nigerian waterways.
He stated the necessity of tapping into the Nigerian Navy’s expertise to bolster the capacity of Customs personnel serving within the Customs Marine Units.
Highlighting the NCS’s possession of ocean-going and creek-going vessels, CGC Adeniyi disclosed plans to transport two ocean-going vessels to the Nigerian Navy Dockyard for maintenance, further noting the importance of intelligence-driven operations in combating smuggling activities.
In response, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla expressed gratitude for the visit and reiterated the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to supporting Customs in enforcing laws against smuggling.
He pledged the availability of Navy training facilities to the NCS at no cost and affirmed the need for reciprocal collaboration to enhance maritime security effectively.
Vice Admiral Ogalla also addressed the importance of collaboration with a specific unit of the Nigerian Navy tasked with clearing items imported by the agency to streamline operations and mitigate obstacles.
Additionally, he proposed the review of a five-year-old Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (HSOP) for monitoring maritime crimes in light of current challenges.
The meeting between the Comptroller General of Customs and the Chief of Naval Staff signifies a significant stride towards enhancing maritime security and combating smuggling along Nigeria’s coastal waters.
The commitment to mutual support and collaboration sets a promising precedent for future joint efforts aimed at safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity and promoting economic prosperity.