Abuja, Nigeria – June 2025
The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration in a bid to bolster national security, particularly across the country’s porous borders.
This resolve was made during a strategic meeting between the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, General Lagbaja emphasized the need for joint efforts to curb cross-border crimes, including smuggling, arms trafficking, and insurgent infiltration. He assured the NCS of the Army’s readiness to provide both logistical and tactical support to ensure secure and efficient border control.
“Our borders remain a critical point of concern. Collaboration with other security agencies like the Nigeria Customs Service is essential in maintaining the integrity of our territorial boundaries,” Lagbaja noted.
In response, CGC Adeniyi praised the long-standing cooperation between both agencies and underscored the importance of intelligence sharing, joint patrols, and operational synergy to combat transnational crimes effectively.
“The security of our nation’s borders is a shared responsibility. With enhanced cooperation, we can collectively tackle the threats undermining Nigeria’s economic stability and national security,” Adeniyi stated.
Both leaders agreed to activate more structured inter-agency training programs and increase the deployment of technology-driven surveillance at strategic border posts.
The renewed partnership comes at a time when the Federal Government is intensifying efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders amid growing concerns about illegal migration, arms smuggling, and economic sabotage.
