Nigeria Customs Service Unveils Plan To Tackle Nuclear Material Smuggling

The Nigeria Customs Service has disclosed that it intends to start a Radiological and Nuclear Detection Program to strengthen national security against nuclear material smuggling.

This strategic plan was unveiled by Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir  Adeniyi, at the opening of a 4-Day Capacity Building Workshop held at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, by the World Customs Organization (WCO).

Assistant Comptroller General Malanta Yusuf, speaking on behalf of the CGC at the workshop, emphasized the importance of the initiative and expressed hope that it would provide participants with the technical know-how required to identify and stop the illegal trafficking of radiological and nuclear materials.

He states that this action is anticipated to improve cross-border security by introducing participants to operational difficulties and promoting a better comprehension of the many responsibilities engaged in this novel strategy.

He praised the leadership of Customs for their coordinated efforts, highlighting the importance of innovation as a means of enhancing the Service’s overall performance. He emphasized how crucial it is for the WCO to host training sessions so that officers can acquire state-of-the-art information and abilities.

“Clearly, the Comptroller-General has put too much effort into ensuring that innovation is one of the key elements, so we are trying to make sure that such trainings organized by the World Customs Organization benefit our Officers,” ACG Malanta Yusuf stated.

Nigeria Customs Service Radiation Safety Officer CSC Nafi’u Abubakar, commended the CGC for resolutely endorsing the Radiological and Nuclear Detection Program (RANDA).

Abubakar emphasized the initiative’s uniqueness on a worldwide level, establishing Nigeria as one of the first nations to carry out this ground-breaking endeavor domestically.

He noted that the Nigeria Customs Service stands to gain significantly from the scheme, underscoring its importance beyond its novelty.

“The training was truly remarkable, and its benefits will undoubtedly enhance the Nigeria Customs Service – and one of the pivotal roles it will play is that it will advance the Customs’ capabilities,” said CSC Nafi’u.

With the Customs Service preparing to combat nuclear smuggling with innovative methods, the endorsement from an experienced specialist such as Dr. Sambo highlights the potential game-changing impact of this tactical move.

The Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority’s Director of Radiological Safety, Dr. Isa Sambo FSI, praised the CGC for its prompt training approval, noting that it might end border crimes and improve the country’s ability to properly address new risks.

“The action is set to place Nigeria at the forefront of international efforts to secure borders against the illicit trafficking of radiological and nuclear materials,” he confirmed.

Olusola Akintonde