Customs, Navy Deepen Partnership To Secure Cargo Movement At Apapa Port

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for sustained collaboration with the Nigerian Navy along the Apapa port corridor to secure vessels and ensure seamless cargo movement.

The Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Area Command, Emmanuel Oshoba, made the statement on Wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, to deepen operational collaboration.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Customs Command, Isah Sulaiman, the Controller said the collaboration was in line with the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adeniyi’s, three policy thrusts of Consolidation, Collaboration and Innovation.

Oshoba appreciated the Navy for securing Nigeria’s waters, stating that no vessel can enter the country without safe waters.

“We commend the Nigerian Navy for keeping the maritime environment secure. I resolved to consolidate on the gains already achieved and improve the existing relationship between Apapa Command and the Nigerian Navy within this axis,” he said.

On collaboration, Oshoba noted that modern border management requires agencies to work in tandem, adding that while Customs is known for trade facilitation and revenue generation, it also performs critical security functions.

He said that, to achieve this mandate, the NCS must collaborate with the military, which he described as the mother of security.
“Innovation is doing things differently to achieve better results, and strengthening inter-agency cooperation is part of that approach,” he stated.

In his response, the FOC acknowledged the longstanding partnership between the NCS and the Nigerian Navy.
Abdullahi emphasised that port security is about inter-agency coordination, noting that “without security, there is no development.”

Abdullahi commended the NCS for doing exceptionally well in blocking revenue leakages and surpassing national revenue targets.

“Continue what you are doing; with more revenue, there will be more infrastructure and social safety network for the country,” he said.

The FOC assured the Command of improved and seamless cooperation in securing the maritime domain and supporting national economic growth.