In a renewed drive to bolster inter-agency collaboration and tackle crimes within Nigeria’s maritime space, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Maritime Command, AIG Musa Yusuf Garba, on Monday hosted the Customs Area Controller of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Patrick N. Ntadi, at the Force Headquarters Annex, Kam Salem House, Obalende, Lagos.

The meeting, described as a courtesy visit, was aimed at fostering deeper cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in securing the country’s inland waterways and confronting transnational crimes such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and illegal trade.

Speaking during the visit, Comptroller Ntadi stressed the need for a harmonized approach and seamless intelligence sharing among security agencies to effectively secure the maritime environment. He reaffirmed the Western Marine Command’s commitment to partnering with the Maritime Police in curbing illicit activities on the waterways and protecting Nigeria’s economic interests.

AIG Garba, in his response, commended the visit and described it as a strategic move towards building a united security front. He emphasized the importance of intensified joint operations, intelligence-led patrols, and real-time communication in tackling maritime threats. He also assured the Customs team of the Maritime Police Command’s continued cooperation in achieving common security goals.

He reiterated the Command’s resolve to uphold coordinated enforcement strategies and collaborative initiatives as key elements in ensuring maritime safety and national revenue protection.

The meeting marks a reinforcement of the longstanding working relationship between the two agencies and signals a shared commitment to developing a resilient maritime security framework capable of responding effectively to evolving challenges.