ZAINAB JUNAID
The Customs Area Controller of the Oyo/Osun Area Command, Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja, has reiterated the commitment to strengthen existing collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Department of State Security Service (DSS) for enhanced economic stability and national security.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, Abdulmalik Abiodun Akintola, Comptroller Adelaja made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the DSS in Ibadan on Thursday, 6 March 2025.
State Director, Department of State Security Service (DSS), Mr. Adelakun; Customs Area Controller, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Joseph Olugbuyi Adelaja and
Comptroller Adelaja, who was warmly received by the State Director of the DSS, Mr. Adelakun, and other principal Officers, emphasized the shared responsibility of both organizations in ensuring national security, economic stability, and the protection of Nigeria’s borders.
While appreciating the State Director for the hospitality shown during the visit, The Customs Area Controller highlighted the crucial roles of Customs to include-facilitating legitimate trade, enforcing customs regulations, and combating smuggling and other trans-border crimes. He equally acknowledged the DSS’s role in intelligence gathering, maintaining internal security, and safeguarding national interests.
Comptroller Adelaja bemoaned the increasing complexity of security challenges in the country, emphasizing how smugglers and criminal elements have continued to adopt more sophisticated tactics to evade detection.
To address this, the Customs Boss reiterated the Command’s commitment to strengthening the longstanding collaboration with the DSS through intelligence sharing, capacity building, and coordinated operations.
In response, the State Director, Mr. Adelakun, welcomed the Customs Area Controller and his delegation on behalf of the Director General of the DSS, Mr. Oluwatoyin Adeola Ajayi.
He reaffirmed the long-standing cooperation between both agencies and emphasized that this relationship would continue to be nurtured and strengthened.
The visit concluded with mutual assurances of continued cooperation to enhance national security and economic stability.
