The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commended the Nigeria Customs Service for it’s support in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse .
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa who presented the award for exemplary service to Comptroller Babatunde Olomu in Lagos, said the partnership between both government agencies is working for crime reduction and prevention of vices associated with drug abuse.
Speaking at the Commissioning of the NDLEA Marine Headquarters, which was built and donated by the British government in Lagos on 16th October 2024, Marwa commended Comptroller Olomu for the many seizures the NCS has made in Apapa Port
Olomu acknowledged that combating illicit drug trade requires collaboration. By sharing intelligence with NDLEA, the NCS can track and arrest cartels bringing illicit drugs into Nigeria through the sea.
Also speaking at the sidelines at the event, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, Customs Area Controller of the Tincan Island Port Command, highlighted the success of this collaboration, which has led to significant seizures at various commands, including the Western Marine Command, Lekki Port, Tincan Command, and Onne Port.
“If you can recall the Nigerian Customs signed an MoU with the NDLEA and the essence of that Mou is for us to collaborate together and one important aspect of it is that we share intelligence as you can see here today we have thrived in intelligence gathering. When they bring such intelligence they pass it mostly to the NCS being the lead agency in the port and so far going by the record of seizures that has been recorded in the various commands like the Customs command, the Western Marine Command, the Lekkk Port and of course the Tincan Command and the huge recovery that was made at Onne port we can conclude that milestones has been achieved by both agencies
Noting how being recognized by the NDLEA for their services in notable seizures as a result of the robust synergy between the Nigerian Customs Service and NDLEA, Compt Nnadi said
” Everybody wants to be recognized I want to congratulate my colleagues and NDLEA for rewarding us with us this plaque, it’s actually a motivation of how well we have done and when we get back to our office we will also use it as a significant tool to encourage our officers. We are administrators and most of the physical work is done by the officers and we are dedicating these awards to our various officers who are taking the risk in making the arrests”
Comptroller Olarewanju Olumoh the Customs Area Controller of Lagos Free Trade Zone Command also gave an insight about training programs for the Nigerian Customs personnel to enable them enhance their marine operational capacity said numerous programs have been put in place to by the NCS to help officers in curbing in Nigeria’s water ways. said
” Yes it’s on going, capacity building is very important in the NCS. Several programs are ongoing to expose the work force on the war in combating smuggling of illicit drugs into the country.
This partnership is part of a broader effort by NCS to fight against Drug Trafficking and related organized crimes as the NCS remains committed to its role in eliminating illicit practices in the country.
