In a significant move towards enhancing national security, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has announced a robust partnership with the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to curb the trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
This announcement came during a meeting between the Acting CGC and the Coordinator of NCCSALW, Maj. Gen. Abba Muhammad Dikko (rtd.), on September 5, 2023, at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
The Acting CGC stressed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to eradicating the menace of small arms and light weapons proliferation. He highlighted the Customs Service’s track record of seizing illicit substances, often concealed within legitimate products, such as bags of rice.
Notably, in August 2023, the Customs Service successfully intercepted over 1,000 live ammunition concealed within 203 bags of foreign rice in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The Acting Customs Boss expressed his enthusiasm for deeper collaboration with NCCSALW, particularly in terms of intelligence and data sharing.
He lauded the agency’s performance and pledged to second more Customs Officers to work closely with the Center.
Maj. Gen. Abba Muhammad Dikko (rtd.), the Coordinator of NCCSALW, congratulated the Acting CGC on his appointment and hailed the Customs Service as a significant force in combating illicit arms within society.
He praised the Customs Service’s efforts in intercepting the illicit flow of arms across Nigeria’s borders, emphasizing its role in securing the nation and its citizens.
Acknowledging the multifaceted security challenges facing Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Dikko underscored the crucial role of Customs in curbing small arms proliferation, which fuels insecurity. He also appreciated the Customs Service’s unwavering support for NCCSALW’s initiatives.
Maj. Gen. Dikko emphasized that the sustained synergy between the two agencies would not only enhance national security but also contribute to generating revenue for the Federal Government. This collaborative effort represents a significant step forward in addressing the proliferation of small arms and ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerians.