Arms smuggling: Ogun Customs, Benin Republic maps new strategies for border security

Arms smuggling: Ogun Customs, Benin Republic maps new strategies for border security

By Udeme Clement

The Ogun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, their counterparts in Benin Republic and other agencies involved in security matters at Idiroko border, are mapping out new strategies to curb arms smuggling, human trafficking, kidnapping and other crimes common at the border communities.

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, of Ogun Command, Comptroller Michael Agbara, disclosed this while giving his keynote address at the just concluded quarterly inter-border security summit with Benin Republic security personnel and stakeholders held at Idiroko.

He explained that the new security strategies will be achieved through effective working synergy and vital information sharing between Customs and security operatives of both countries at the border.

Comptroller Agbara also explained that such measures are necessary on their daily operations to curtail illicit trade within Idiroko area.

His words, “This forum is an avenue to interact and explore issues that will foster the collective growth of our nations,  that is Nigeria and Benin. This will also promote trade facilitation and seamless movements along two artificial divides”.

He informed, “One of the cardinal principles of CGC Ali Hameed policy thrust is emphasis on maximum collaboration with critical stakeholders.

“Therefore the Service has pledged to continue rendering needed support in this collaborative effort, by providing important information and appropriate services in good time, whenever the need arise.

“We cannot rest on our oars particularly at this critical time of our national life, as the myriad of irregular migration and trade with attendant challenges of trans-border crimes such as arms smuggling, human trafficking, drugs trafficking must be tackled headlong.”

The security summit, which drew participants from Nigeria, the Republic Police,  Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service, National Drug Law Enforcement  Agency, Department of State Service, Nigeria  Police and other security agencies at Idiroko border, focused on effective working synergy to protect lives and ensure facilitation of legitimate trade between both countries at all times.

Delegates from both countries at the summit also deliberated on timely information sharing on activities at the border, as well as checking illegal movement of light weapons constituting threat to national security at the border.

The meeting ended with the cutting of cake by participants from both countries to show their readiness for greater working collaboration.

Our correspondent observed that the cake was decorated with national colours of both countries, as a symbol of unity.