The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Maritime Police Command, AIG Chinedu Oko has called for deeper collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service, to strengthen security and curb economic crimes within the nation’s maritime corridor.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adebayo Rasheed which was made available to our correspondent.
According to the statement, AIG Oko made the call on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service in Ikeja, Lagos. The visit formed part of his familiarisation tour following his assumption of office.
The AIG and his entourage were warmly received by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, ACG Mohammad Babandede, alongside members of his management team.
In his remarks, AIG Oko emphasized the importance of sustained inter-agency cooperation, intelligence sharing, and operational synergy between the Maritime Police and the Customs Service, particularly within the maritime domain. According to him, effective collaboration among security agencies remains crucial to tackling economic crimes and ensuring a safe environment for legitimate trade around Nigeria’s ports.
Responding, ACG Babandede commended AIG Oko for the visit, describing it as a positive step towards strengthening institutional relationships in the interest of national security and economic growth. He assured the AIG of the Customs Service’s continued cooperation through intelligence sharing and operational support.
The visit ended with an exchange of plaques and a group photograph, symbolizing mutual respect and commitment to partnership.
