Seme Border Illegal Checkpoints: Customs CG Walking the Talk, Visits IGP, Sets for Joint Inspection

By DAPO OLAWUNI

There are indications that the Acting Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is leaving no stone unturned in implementing his promise of dismantling illegal checkpoints along Mile2-Badagry-Seme Border access roads.

The customs boss on Thursday, 3rd August 2023, paid a courtesy visit to the Ag. Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, even as they both committed to carrying out a joint inspection of the areas.

The visit sought inter-agencies’ cooperation and collaboration to fast-track sustainable working relationships between the Nigeria Customs Service and Nigeria Police Force to ensure adequate security of lives and properties in the country.

Addressing the leadership of the Force, the Ag. CGC Bashir Adewale Adebiyi MFR congratulated the IGP on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and further expressed the commitment of NCS to join forces and fight the challenges of insecurity.

He also assured the IGP that Nigeria Customs is willing to learn more from the Nigeria Police Force in areas of investigation and other operations through coordinated capacity-building programs.

“Criminal activities are inter-connected, thus a need for the two security agencies to collaborate to mitigate the menace of smuggling, which will help the Nigeria Customs Service to generate revenue for the nation. I will therefore request to build a strong relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force.” The CGC said.

According to him, the major issues that bother the two organizations can be mitigated through sharing intelligence to help achieve a common goal in the fight against criminals.

He also briefed the Ag. IGP on the proliferation of checkpoints from Mile 2 to Seme Border, saying that agencies responsible need to look into the possibility of rationalizing them.

CGC Adeniyi, however, said that the Nigeria Customs Service is considering using geospatial intelligence to monitor the borders.

The Ag. CGC expressed the willingness of the Nigeria Customs Service to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Service and the Nigeria Police Force.

Responding, the Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Egbetokun described the CGC’s visit to the Force Headquarters as timely, affirming his readiness to unanimously establish a solid working bond with the Nigeria Customs Service.

The Ag. IGP, who congratulated the CGC on his appointment, appreciated his vibrant steps of re-branding the Service, adding that “your bold steps to uplift the organization is well recognized by Nigerians, and you will surely succeed.”

“You are coming at a time that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to having strong collaboration with other security agencies. I want to inform you that we also share the vision of having a strong platform where all Services will interact, share intelligence and leverage on our different expertise.”

He told the CGC that the best time to actualize the synergy is now, adding that the Nigeria Police Force is determined to form a system that appropriately responds to the dynamics of criminalities in the Country.

Corroborating the CGC’s call on the state of Mile 2-Seme Checkpoints, the Ag. IGP proposed the need to constitute a joint tour of the area, adding that “I will also be paying unscheduled visits to Mile 2-Seme axis.”

He also ensured that the Nigeria Police Force would commit to dismantling illegal checkpoints on the affected roads.

He also promised to take their partnership to the crest, adding that forming a synergy to fight against criminals in some strategic places is much needed.