In a significant move to strengthen Nigeria’s security framework, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, convened with representatives from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Corporate Headquarters. This high-profile meeting aimed to reinforce and expand the existing partnership between the two agencies, with a focus on enhancing national security and operational efficiency.

During the discussions, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership as foundational elements for growth and success within the NCS. He outlined the history of cooperation between the NCS and DIA, particularly highlighting their joint efforts in capacity building and security projects. “The major objective of this delegation is to maintain and deepen the relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the DIA. We believe in the strength that comes from collaborating with other government agencies,” Adeniyi stated.

Adeniyi further expressed his ambition to extend this partnership, especially in terms of intelligence sharing. He posited that a more robust exchange of information between the NCS and DIA would be pivotal in addressing border security challenges and in enhancing the operational capabilities of Customs officers.

On behalf of the Defence Intelligence, Air Vice Marshal Samuel Chinda, Deputy Chief of Defence Intelligence, represented Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Parker, and lauded the initiative. He underscored the critical role that the collaboration with the NCS plays in their collective success in combating threats at the nation’s borders. AVM Chinda also pointed to the benefits of including Customs officers in intelligence training programs, recalling how such initiatives have previously bolstered the proficiency and effectiveness of Customs personnel.

“We are here to reinvigorate these relationships for future collaborations. The Defence Intelligence Agency is keen on fostering partnerships in training and operations with the Nigeria Customs Service,” AVM Chinda remarked.

This meeting marks a significant step towards a more integrated approach to national security, promising enhanced cooperation between Nigeria’s Customs and Defence sectors. Both agencies expressed their commitment to leveraging this partnership to tackle the complexities of border security and to safeguard the nation against various threats.