ZAINAB JUNAID
Determined to intensify the fight against illegal activities present at border areas across the federation and also facilitate trade, the Nigeria Customs Service has declared intentions to strengthen synergy with the Defence Research and Development Bureau(DRDB).
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, in his office when he received the delegation of the Bureau, led by the Director-General of DRDB, Major General Emmanuel Ndagi, who was at the Service’s Headquarters to seek the CGC’s partnership on delicate matters relating to national security.
Adeniyi expressed the readiness of the Service to partner with the Bureau to sustain the Service’s commitment to leveraging technological advancements in its operations, which, according to him, will result in achieving economic growth.
“I see a lot of possibilities that will continue to evolve between the Nigeria Customs Service and DRDB in the area of technology because we live in the age of technology now.
“We believe that any organisation that ignores research and developments might be digging its own grave because, for us, the Nigeria Customs Service, the rapid change and dynamic nature of our environment presupposes the need for us to engage in technological development programmes constantly.
“One of the immediate things suggested for us was using geospatial intelligence to combat the scourge of border crimes. We have also set up a structure devoted to our special intelligence. Beyond that, we have a Command and Staff College, where we engage our students in periodic research and operations,” he stated.
In his remarks, the Director-General DRDB, Major General Emmanuel Ndagi, declared that their visit to Customs House was to acquaint the CGC with the Bureau’s activities and also seek partnership with the Service as an essential security structure in the country.
The DG, who identified some key areas on which the DRDB wishes to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service, expressed optimism that their alliance will enable them to coordinate significant operations at border areas across the federation.
“Addressing these challenges with compassion and jointly developing technologies that address border security concerns will help us to fortify our border areas, and that is one key aspect that I want to seek the cooperation of the Comptroller-General of Customs to join hands with DRDB in partnership,” he maintained.
