The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, and the Nigerian Navy have strengthened operational collaboration to enhance surveillance, secure the maritime domain and safeguard Nigeria’s national territory.
The renewed partnership was reaffirmed on Thursday during a courtesy visit by officers and men of the Western Naval Command to the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja.
Welcoming the delegation, Head of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, described the collaboration between the two agencies as a demonstration of a shared commitment to protecting critical maritime areas central to trade and the security of border communities.
“Today, we have translated inter-agency collaboration into strategic partnership, which is not only desirable but essential. We recognise that our operational success depends greatly on synergy, especially with our colleagues who operate at the maritime frontline,” he said.
Aliyu explained that the visit was also connected to a strategic assessment of criminal hotspots within the maritime domain, noting that the Areas of Surveillance (AoS) identified locations of vital operational interest requiring coordinated attention.
In his response, the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, said the deliberate partnership sent a clear message to criminal elements.
“Recently, the Nigerian Navy and FOU ‘A’ deployed a helicopter and special forces to hotspots to force out those involved in drug trafficking. Our operation led to the interception of a truck containing illicit drugs. We know the impact of these items on the society, so we are sending a strong message to those involved,” he said.
Mustapha emphasised the need for both agencies to sustain the partnership, noting that effective information sharing, coordinated deployment and joint surveillance remained critical to disrupting criminal activities within Nigeria’s national territory.
