The Nigerian Army has expressed readiness to partner with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to strengthen border security and initiate modules that aid its Non-Kinetic line of operations.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja made the disclosure when he hosted in separate meetings the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Basir Adeniyi and the Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Ayo Omotayo at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
According to a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the COAS appreciated the existing cordial relationship between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Customs Service.
General Lagbaja lauded customs for securing Nigeria’s borders and said the collaborative efforts between the two organizations are crucial to effective border control and combating illegal activities.
The Army Chief declared the readiness of the Nigerian Army to support the service in the area of joint training and operations to effectively curtail illegal cross-border activities. He emphasized that the Nigerian Army will interface to bring the Nigerian Customs Service on board in the conduct of its exercises.
The COAS also pledged to support the humanitarian effort of the service during the distribution of relief items to Internally Displaced Persons and other emergencies.
The Acting Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Mr Bashir Adeniyi, who felicitated with the COAS on his appointment, pointed out, that the Nigerian Customs Service is mandated to enforce government fiscal policy, enhance public safety and foster law and order.
The Acting CGC further stated that considering the dynamic nature of contemporary security challenges, the Nigerian Customs is soliciting joint operational engagements, that will provide for a formidable force in synergy with the NA, against hostile criminal activities, such as terrorist illicit activities at the border communities.
The Acting CGS canvassed for the strengthening of synergy in joint operational engagements, particularly to tackle the menace of hostile criminal cross-border activities in border communities and daredevil smugglers, who try to overrun NCS Operatives while performing their functions. He stressed that such collaboration will shore up the capacity of NCS personnel to mitigate security challenges at the border areas.
In another development, the COAS also received in audience the Director General (DG) National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Professor Ayo Omotayo and the management team of the Institute.
The COAS, who appreciated the contributions of NIPSS towards expanding the strategic manpower development and knowledge base of the Nigerian Army, noted that the institute’s effort has impacted in no small measure on national development.
General Lagbaja, while applauding NIPSS’ peace-building efforts, disclosed that the Nigerian Army Resource Centre will partner with NIPSS to develop full modules for its Non-Kinetic line of operations, towards overcoming the current security challenges and restoring peace and security in the country.
The Army Chief asserted that the NA is employing the whole-of-society approach in her effort to resolutely combat the nation’s security challenges.
In a remark, Professor Ayo Omotayo stated that the Army has been a very supportive agency to the National Institute and recognized the critical role the Nigerian Army is playing in defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria, through the conduct of Counter Terrorism Counter Insurgency Operations in the North East, North West and Internal security operations in other troubled parts of the country. The DG urged the government to further support the NA, maintaining, that nothing can be achieved as a nation, without peace and security.
