…Reaffirms Commitment to Anti-smuggling and Trade Facilitation
Bon Peters
In her drive to ensure synergy and collaboration in the fight against smuggling of illicit Drugs, border control and Trade Facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service port Harcourt Area 1 Controller, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku has embarked on a courtesy visits to Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) National Agency for Food And Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
This disclosure was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available to our Correspondent by the Command’s Public Relations officer Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1, Barilule Aanee in Port Harcourt last week.
During the visits,the customs Area Controller, has emphasized the essence of working closely with the sister agencies adding that such was important in achieving effective border control, fight Smuggling and facilitate Trade.
Addressing the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Y.I. Abdulhajeed, and the Deputy Director, NAFDAC Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Bayo Raufu,in their various offices located at the Federal Secretariat, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Comptroller Atuluku emphasized the importance of the shared responsibilities of both agencies in securing the nation’s borders and facilitating legitimate trade.
She noted that while the Immigration Service manages the movement of persons, the Customs Service regulates the flow of goods adding that the two interdependent functions formed the backbone of national security.
The Customs Area 1 boss ,further explained that cooperation between government agencies was essential in achieving national goals reiterating the importance of effective communication, intelligence sharing, and mutual understanding which she said have direct impact on the success of Customs operations, particularly in curbing smuggling, promoting trade compliance, and protecting the nation’s economy assuring them that Port Harcourt Area 1 Command would continue to maintain open and productive relationships with sister agencies in the discharge of its duties.
In his response, the Comptroller of Immigration, Y.I. Abdulhajeed described the visit as timely and commendable even as he acknowledged the Customs Service as a strategic partner in national security and trade management, stating that both agencies complement each other in their daily operations. He pledged his command’s support to the Customs Service, affirming that close collaboration between the two institutions remained vital to achieving safer and well-regulated borders.
Similarly, at the NAFDAC Port Inspection Directorate, Comptroller Atuluku was received by the Deputy Director, Pharm. Adepoju Bayo Raufu, who welcomed the visit as an important step towards reinforcing cooperation between both agencies.
He noted that the synergy between NAFDAC and Customs has been instrumental in intercepting fake and substandard goods, thereby safeguarding public health and ensuring that only quality products reach the Nigerian market.
He however expressed optimism that the engagement would lead to even stronger results in trade regulation and consumer protection.
Comptroller Atuluku has reassured them that meaningful progress can only be achieved through purpose driven collaboration among agencies working towards the same national objectives.
She maintained that Customs, Immigration, NAFDAC and NDLEA play vital roles in protecting Nigeria’s borders, economy, and public health, and insisted that sustained cooperation among them would continue to strengthen national institutions, promote legitimate trade, and ensure a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.
In the same vein, Comptroller Atuluku has reaffirmed the Nigeria customs unwavering commitment to effective border management through collaboration with NDLEA
She made her position known when she also visited the State Commander of NDLEA, Commander Ahmed Mamuda, at the Rivers State Command Headquarters, Port Harcourt as part of her ongoing inter-agency engagement aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fight against smuggling, drug trafficking, and other cross-border crimes.
She described NDLEA as a reliable and strategic partner in safeguarding the country against the menace of drug abuse and trafficking, saying “The Nigeria Customs Service and the NDLEA share a common responsibility to protect our nation from the dangers of illicit substances and prohibited goods. Through intelligence sharing, joint operations, and continuous engagement, we can strengthen our capacity to safeguard our borders and society.”
She assured that the NCS would continue to support NDLEA through intelligence sharing, joint enforcement, and capacity driven collaboration.
Responding, NDLEA Commander Ahmed Mamuda commended Comptroller Atuluku for the visit, describing it as a demonstration of proactive leadership and commitment to strengthening institutional synergy even as he acknowledged that the Customs Service has remained a dependable partner in the collective effort to secure the nation’s borders and eliminate the trafficking of illegal drugs.
Commander Mamuda however expressed NDLEA’s readiness to sustain the cooperation with NCS through intelligence sharing, joint operations, and collaborative enforcement emphasizing that such partnerships have yielded remarkable successes in curbing smuggling and drug-related offenses, adding that the NDLEA would continue to work in synergy with the Customs Service to ensure a safer society.
Therefore, both agencies have described her visit as timely even as they expressed their willingness to cooperate with her insisting that such synergy would remain vital in achieving well regulated borders devoid of influx of smuggled items and ensure trade facilitation.