By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to tackle smuggling, cross-border crimes and other security threats in Lagos and its environs.
Afeni made the call during a familiarisation tour of sister security and law enforcement agencies in Lagos, which began on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of FOU Zone ‘A’, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, on Thursday, October 15, the visits were aimed at strengthening existing relationships and promoting intelligence sharing, joint operations and effective information exchange among the agencies.
During the visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Afeni was received by the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai.
The Acting Comptroller stressed the importance of closer cooperation among security agencies, particularly as the country approaches the election period, when criminal elements could attempt to exploit the situation to engage in illegal activities.
He noted that the responsibilities of FOU Zone ‘A’ went beyond border protection, adding that effective inter-agency cooperation was necessary to safeguard national interests and prevent criminal activities.
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Courtesy visit
Afeni also acknowledged the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force, emphasising that no security agency could successfully tackle security challenges in isolation.
Responding, Fatai described the visit as a welcome initiative, noting that cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the Customs Service had contributed to remarkable achievements over the years.
He said security agencies in Lagos maintained a strong working relationship despite the state’s large population and the challenges associated with maintaining law and order.
In a related development, Afeni visited the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army’s 81 Division, where he was received by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola.
Babalola emphasised the need for security agencies to sustain joint efforts against criminality. He also cautioned against unnecessary administrative bottlenecks that could delay operations and undermine operational efficiency.
Other agencies visited during the tour included 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 9 Brigade in Ikeja.
The engagements provided an opportunity for the agencies to strengthen institutional relationships and identify practical areas of cooperation in law enforcement and security operations across Lagos and the wider operational area of FOU Zone ‘A’.
The agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining collaboration with the Customs Service to combat smuggling and other criminal activities.
LFrom R-L: DC Oladapo Afeni and CP Tijani Fatai.
The visits underscore FOU Zone ‘A’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation in support of national security, revenue protection, trade facilitation and the protection of Nigeria’s economic interests.
