Customs FOU Zone ‘A’ Comptroller Afeni Seeks Inter-Agency Synergy to Wipe Out Smuggling

By Olabisi Akinpelu, Correspondent

Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, the Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ in Ikeja, Lagos, has visited sister security agencies to strengthen collaboration against smuggling and trans-border crimes.

The Acting Comptroller kicked off the familiarisation tour on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Upon arriving at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, they were welcomed by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai.

According to a statement by Hussaini Abdullahi, the unit’s Public Relations Officer, Afeni visited several agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Strategic Command, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigerian Army’s 81 Division and 9 Brigade in Ikeja.

The engagements, Abdullahi said, provided the Acting Comptroller the opportunity to familiarise himself with the leadership of the agencies, reaffirm existing institutional relationships, and explore practical areas of cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint operations, information exchange, and the enforcement of relevant laws within Lagos and the wider area of responsibility of FOU Zone ‘A’.

Speaking during the visit to the Commissioner of Police, DC Afeni emphasised that the responsibilities of the Federal Operations Unit go beyond securing the nation’s borders to advancing the synergy required to protect national interests.

“We know that crime rates often increase as the country approaches the election period, as some people may attempt to take advantage of the period to perpetrate illicit activities capable of causing crises during the elections. Therefore, we are here to call for closer synergy so that these bad elements do not have their way,” he said.

DC Afeni noted that collaboration among security agencies remained crucial, as no agency could succeed in isolation. He particularly acknowledged the robust intelligence-gathering capability of the Nigeria Police Force and stressed the need for sustained cooperation among all relevant agencies.

In his response, CP Tijani Fatai described the visit as a welcome practice that had helped both agencies achieve remarkable results over the years.

“In Lagos, we have a very strong and robust relationship with all security agencies, notwithstanding the huge population of the state,” the Commissioner of Police said.

In a related development, DC Afeni also visited Headquarters, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, where he was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola. The GOC highlighted the significance of joint efforts against criminality and advised against unnecessary administrative bottlenecks that could hinder operational efficiency.

The agencies visited reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining synergy with the Nigeria Customs Service.

The courtesy visits underscore the commitment of FOU Zone ‘A’ to advancing collaborative enforcement in support of national security, revenue protection, trade facilitation, and the overall economic interests of Nigeria.