FOU Zone C boss courts security agencies in push against smuggling, insecurity in Imo

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘C’, Owerri, Deputy Comptroller Farouk Nadaniya, has sought stronger collaboration with security agencies in Imo State to intensify the fight against smuggling, tackle insecurity and sustain peace across the state.

Nadaniya made the call during familiarisation visits to key security formations in Imo, where he emphasised the need for improved intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and a united approach to addressing emerging security threats.

The visits, which commenced on Friday, October 16, 2026, covered the Imo State Police Command, Department of State Services (DSS), 511 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force, 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army at Obinze, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

According to a statement issued by Rose Nche, Chief Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer of FOU Zone ‘C’, Nadaniya said inter-agency cooperation remained critical to the effective discharge of the Customs Service’s enforcement responsibilities across the South-East and South-South regions.

He stressed that combating smuggling and other criminal activities required collective action, pledging to sustain cordial relationships with sister security agencies and support initiatives aimed at strengthening peace and stability.

During his visit to the Imo State Police Command, the Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Audu Boss, commended Nadaniya for prioritising inter-agency relations.

Boss noted that the Police and Customs shared important responsibilities in safeguarding national security and protecting lives and property. He urged the Acting Comptroller to sustain engagement with other security formations to address insurgency and other security threats confronting the state.

At the DSS Imo State Command, the Director, Godwin Uche Dunkwu, assured the Customs chief of the agency’s continued cooperation.

Dunkwu observed that security agencies in the state had maintained cordial working relationships despite their different statutory responsibilities, underscoring the need to preserve and strengthen the existing partnerships.

Similarly, the Commander of the Nigerian Air Force’s 511 Quick Response Group, Owerri, Air Commodore SP Sekego, called for a united security front to confront the challenges facing Imo State.

Sekego encouraged Nadaniya to work closely with other security formations, citing the recent release of kidnapped corps members as an example of the importance of teamwork and coordinated action among security agencies.

At the headquarters of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General A. Ahmed, also advocated sustained cooperation, coordination and collective responsibility in tackling security threats.

Ahmed maintained that a common purpose among security formations was essential to maintaining peace and ensuring that each agency effectively discharged its statutory mandate.

The Commandant of the NSCDC in Imo State equally expressed readiness to collaborate with Nadaniya and other security agencies, reaffirming the importance of joint efforts in achieving shared security objectives.

The visits concluded with the heads of the various security formations expressing their commitment to sustaining existing partnerships and deepening cooperation to strengthen security across Imo State.

The engagement underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in supporting Customs enforcement operations and addressing criminal activities that threaten public safety, economic stability and legitimate trade.