BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Committed to tightening border security, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has joined forces with Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, NAQS, on intelligence sharing, trade facilitation and national security, aimed at protecting the economy.
Reaffirming its leadership role in safeguarding Nigeria's borders, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi announced the partnership during a visit by NAQS Comptroller General of Quarantine, Vincent Isegbe, to the Customs headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi noted that the Service was moving to harmonise inspection procedures across the country's ports and border stations, describing the ambition as critical to promoting consistency, transparency and efficiency in cargo clearance nationwide.
He also revealed plans to establish a new Customs laboratory, with NAQS expected to provide technical support, just as he disclosed that Customs training facilities would be opened up to NAQS officers as part of a broader capacity-building push.
"We must expose our officers to the broader concept of national security. Border management goes beyond revenue collection," Adeniyi said, adding that Customs sees itself as the anchor institution coordinating Nigeria's multi-agency border protection efforts.
The visit provided an opportunity for CG Isegbe to congratulate Adeniyi on the extension of his tenure as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation Council, which he described as a recognition of Adeniyi's dedication and leadership.
Isegbe lauded an excellent working relationship with Customs, and outlined areas for closer partnership, including integrating NAQS into Customs' B'Odogwu platform, joint enforcement operations, and coordinated efforts to detect fake certification and fraudulent documentation.
In a sweeping move, the NCS apprehended a suspected Kano-based wildlife trafficker, leading to the rescue of an endangered species, baby Gorilla.
A report by the Officer-in-Charge of the NCS Special Wildlife Office, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, AC, Anuhu Mani on Friday, revealed that the suspect was arrested during a raid conducted on July 7, in Kofar Mata, Kano State.
The raid was carried out by the NCS Special Wildlife Office of the Customs Intelligence Unit in collaboration with Focused Conservation, Customs Police Unit, and officers of the Kano/Jigawa Area Command.
AC Mani hinted that the operation successfully disrupted an illegal primate trafficking network, while the rescued infant gorilla was immediately transferred to veterinary care, where it is currently receiving specialised medical attention and rehabilitation.
He explained that the breakthrough followed weeks of meticulous intelligence gathering and surveillance targeting syndicates involved in the illicit trade and supply of protected primates within the Kano axis.
AC Mani added that the success of the operation underscored the critical role of inter-agency collaboration and partnerships with international conservation organisations in combating trans-border wildlife crime.
"Investigations are actively ongoing as we follow all actionable leads generated from this operation," Mani stated.
He added: "To preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation and ensure that fleeing members of the trafficking network do not evade justice, the NCS is withholding further operational details, including the identity of the suspect."
AC Mani reiterated the Service's zero-tolerance policy toward wildlife trafficking, reaffirming the NCS's commitment to enforcing endangered species laws and protecting Nigeria's natural heritage.
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