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The Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has solicited the support of the Nigerian Army on combat training of Nigeria Customs Service personnel for real operational matters to combat drug traffickers, smugglers and terrorists operating at Nigeria's borders.
Ag. Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Adeniyi said this when he led his management team on a contest visit to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, Army Headquarters on Monday, 11th September 2023 in Abuja.
The video reportPresenting the purpose of his visit to the Chief of Army Staff, the Customs boss said Customs officers work daily in border areas and difficult terrains. "Sometimes in the course of their operations, they come against attacks on smugglers, and hostile communities, and most of the time they are found wanting in terms of rule of an engagement or applying forces that are commensurate with the level of threats they are exposed to as smugglers seem to have to take our strength for granted."
Mr Adeniyi added that drug traffickers continue to use borders to bring in narcotics which drives even the agenda of other criminals. Those who bring in arms and ammunition do it in violation of the law that guides them.
He said in the last 10 years, the dynamics of border crimes have changed. Terrorists are operating on our borders. We have found ourselves with the need to cooperate with the Army. Given this, I would like to make two requests
"They believe that they can overrun our officers along the border communities. We have thought about involving our men in joint training operations with the Nigerian Army. I believe that because of the rich experience the Army has in its theaters it would be easy to build the capacity of our officers in these border areas.
"Even if it is just a show of strength to send a powerful message to smugglers that we have our sister agency that can come for our assistance when they come under attack.", he opined.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja said the Nigerian Army as an institution will not relent in collaborating with other security agencies, especially the Nigeria Customs Service which is saddled with the responsibility of safeguarding the borders.
The Army Chief thanked the Nigeria Customs Service for supporting the Nigerian Army in the movement of relief materials from one theatre of operation to another, which has enhanced the capacity building of the Nigerian Army Supply and Transport personnel.
Lt General Lagbaja also thanked the Nigeria Customs Service for supporting the Nigerian Army during Operation Harmony and pledged that every necessary equipment due for repair will be repaired.