Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Niger/Kogi Area Command, has reinforced its stakeholder engagement drive with a strategic meeting with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, aimed at enhancing border security and safeguarding legitimate transport operations.
The engagement took place when the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Pascal Chibuoke, received a NARTO delegation in collaboration with NAXAR Strategic Consult Limited at the Command’s headquarters.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I Abubakar Zakariya, the visit focused on deepening cooperation in key areas, including border security, combating illegal arms trafficking, and protecting lawful road transport activities.
Welcoming the delegation, Comptroller Chibuoke commended NARTO and NAXAR Strategic Consult Limited for their proactive approach to national security collaboration. He noted that road transport operators occupy a strategic position in intelligence gathering and compliance due to their regular movement across border routes and major highways.
According to him, effective synergy between Customs and transport stakeholders remains critical in addressing smuggling, illicit arms movement, and other transborder crimes. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to professionalism, sustained stakeholder engagement, and partnerships that promote secure borders while facilitating lawful trade and transportation.
In their remarks, the NARTO Niger/Kogi Coordinator, Halifu Abdullahi, alongside the Technical Assistant, Malam Safio Yahaya, and a member of the delegation, Mr Haruna Garba, expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded them by the Customs Area Controller. They assured the Command of NARTO’s readiness to support security efforts through timely information sharing, sensitization of their members, and cooperation with policies designed to enhance national security.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve by both parties to maintain sustained collaboration in the interest of national security, economic development, and the protection of legitimate transport operations across the Niger/Kogi axis.
