The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has strengthened collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Army to combat smuggling, counterfeit products and other cross-border crimes.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Chado Zakari, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Idiroko.
Zakari said the renewed commitment followed separate strategic visits to the command headquarters by the Director of NAFDAC’s Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, Dr Martin Iluyomade, and the Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Friday Onu.
He said Iluyomade, during a courtesy visit to the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Olakayode Afeni, called for stronger intelligence-driven operations to intercept fake, substandard and expired products before they entered Nigerian markets.
According to him, the NAFDAC official commended the command’s anti-smuggling efforts and advocated real-time intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement to safeguard public health and protect local industries.
Responding, Afeni said effective dismantling of organised smuggling networks required sustained inter-agency collaboration.
“Our resolve to secure the nation’s borders against illicit trade is unwavering.
“Strengthening our partnership with NAFDAC will enhance operational efficiency and ensure that importers of fake and substandard goods find no safe haven within our area of responsibility,” he said.
He urged importers, licensed customs agents and border communities to embrace legitimate trade and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Zakari said the command also received the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Onu, who reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to joint operations and intelligence sharing to combat trans-border crimes and strengthen security along Nigeria’s border corridors.
According to him, seamless collaboration among security agencies remains critical to tackling smuggling and other emerging security threats.
Afeni appreciated the military’s continued support, describing joint operations as essential to suppressing illicit trade while facilitating legitimate cross-border commerce.
Zakari said the visits featured the presentation of commemorative plaques, signing of the visitors’ register and group photographs with senior officers of the participating agencies.
