Afeni deepens inter-agency alliance as Ogun I Customs, NAFDAC, Army intensify anti-smuggling fight

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Acting Customs Area Controller of the Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Oludayo Afeni,  has reinforced the Command’s strategy of combating trans-border crimes through stronger inter-agency collaboration, forging renewed partnerships with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Nigerian Army to tighten security along Nigeria’s southwestern border.

The renewed alliances were cemented during separate high-level visits to the Command Headquarters in Idiroko, where senior officials of both agencies pledged closer operational cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement against smugglers, counterfeit product syndicates and other criminal networks operating along the international border.

Leading the NAFDAC delegation was the Director of the Federal Task Force on Fake and Substandard Products, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, who commended the Ogun I Command for its consistent anti-smuggling successes and called for a more robust operational framework to intercept fake, expired and substandard products before they enter Nigerian markets.

He stressed that closer collaboration between Customs and NAFDAC would improve intelligence gathering, accelerate enforcement actions and protect Nigerians from the dangers posed by illicit pharmaceutical products and counterfeit consumer goods.

Responding, Deputy Comptroller Afeni said organised smuggling and the trafficking of fake products could only be effectively tackled through sustained collaboration among security and regulatory agencies.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven enforcement, noting that enhanced cooperation with NAFDAC would further strengthen border surveillance and ensure that criminal syndicates involved in illicit trade find no operational space within the Command’s jurisdiction.

“Our resolve to secure Nigeria’s borders against illicit trade remains unwavering. Stronger partnership with the NAFDAC Federal Task Force will improve operational efficiency and reinforce our determination to deny smugglers and importers of fake products any safe haven,” Afeni said.

Both agencies also urged importers, customs agents and residents of border communities to embrace lawful trade practices and promptly report suspicious activities to relevant authorities.

In a related development, the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Friday Oguche Onu, paid a strategic visit to the Command to deepen military-customs cooperation in securing Ogun State’s border corridors.

The Army commander pledged continuous intelligence support and joint operations to combat trans-border crimes, smuggling and emerging security threats, describing inter-agency cooperation as indispensable to national security.

“Border security requires a seamless and coordinated approach. The Nigerian Army remains committed to working closely with the Nigeria Customs Service to safeguard our borders while protecting the nation’s economic interests,” Onu stated.

Afeni thanked the military for its continued operational support, describing the Customs-Army partnership as critical to suppressing illicit activities while facilitating legitimate cross-border trade.

He noted that the Command would continue to leverage intelligence-led operations and strategic partnerships to improve border security, facilitate lawful commerce and contribute to national economic stability.

The engagements concluded with the presentation of commemorative plaques, the signing of the official visitors’ register and group photographs involving senior officers from the three organisations.

The renewed collaboration reflects the Nigeria Customs Service’s broader strategy under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, to strengthen coordinated border management through intelligence sharing, joint operations and institutional partnerships.

The approach he said has become increasingly important as the Service intensifies efforts to curb smuggling, intercept counterfeit products, protect local industries and enhance national security while facilitating legitimate trade.