Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Customs Area Controller, Ibeto Seaport and Terminal Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Comptroller of Customs Usman Yahaya, has intensified efforts to strengthen inter-agency collaboration aimed at enhancing maritime security, trade facilitation, and enforcement efficiency.
According to a press release signed by the Chief Superintendent of Customs, Emmanuel Tangwa, Comptroller Yahaya paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police in charge of Eastern Ports, CP Mike Okoh, whose jurisdiction covers Warri, Port Harcourt, Onne, and Calabar ports. The visit formed part of the Comptroller’s familiarization engagements since assuming duty at the Command.
During the visit, Comptroller Yahaya highlighted the importance of synergy, intelligence sharing, and joint operations between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Marine Police to achieve the Customs’ core objectives of trade facilitation, anti-smuggling, and revenue generation.
“Inter-agency collaboration is crucial to the success of border management and port security. Our shared operational environment requires continuous partnership and trust among all stakeholders,” Yahaya stated.
In his response, CP Mike Okoh warmly welcomed Comptroller Yahaya and his team, commending the visit as a mark of mutual respect and institutional cooperation. He noted the long-standing relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force, recalling several joint training programmes and collaborative operations, including those at the Police and Customs training schools in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Police Commissioner offered prayers for the Comptroller’s success and reaffirmed his Command’s readiness to work closely with Customs to promote national security and economic development.
Later that same day, Adepoju Bayo, Director of Marine Operations at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, also paid a courtesy visit to Comptroller Yahaya at his office in Port Harcourt.
The visit, described as both a goodwill gesture and a strategic engagement, focused on deepening collaboration between NAFDAC and the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in enforcement operations aimed at combating the illicit importation of regulated products.
Mr Bayo commended Comptroller Yahaya and his team for their professionalism and dedication, while reiterating NAFDAC’s commitment to joint operations aimed at safeguarding public health and ensuring compliance with national trade standards.
In his remarks, Comptroller Yahaya expressed appreciation for the visit and pledged to sustain robust inter-agency collaboration in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, which emphasises collaboration, consolidation, and innovation.
“With continued partnership among sister agencies, the Eastern Marine Command will achieve greater efficiency in trade facilitation, enforcement, and service delivery,” Yahaya assured.
