The Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘C’, Owerri, Deputy Comptroller Farouk Nadaniya, has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to tackle smuggling, combat crime and sustain peace in Imo State.
Nadaniya made the call during a series of courtesy visits to security agencies in Owerri, Imo State, as part of efforts to strengthen inter-agency relations and enhance operational effectiveness.
The visits, which commenced on Friday, October 16, 2026, included the Imo State Police Command, Department of State Services (DSS), 511 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Speaking during his visit to the Imo State Police Command, Nadaniya said the Federal Operations Unit, which covers the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones, faced significant operational responsibilities amid the security challenges confronting the region.
He stressed that tackling smuggling and other criminal activities required collective action and effective coordination among security agencies.
“My visit is aimed at soliciting for unity of purpose and inter-agency synergy, which will enhance my operational effectiveness in my area of jurisdiction, as the fight against smuggling and other crimes is a collective responsibility,” he said.
The Customs chief reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining cordial working relationships with security agencies to promote peace, stability and the overall wellbeing of residents.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Garba Audu Boss, welcomed the Acting Comptroller and commended his initiative to strengthen cooperation among security institutions.
He noted that the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force shared important responsibilities in safeguarding national security and protecting lives and property.
Boss urged the Customs official to work closely with other security agencies to address insurgency and other security threats in the state.
At the Imo State Command of the DSS, the Director, Godwin Uche Dunkwu, assured Nadaniya of the agency’s cooperation, noting that security institutions in the state had maintained cordial relationships despite their different statutory responsibilities.
Dunkwu said the military and paramilitary agencies continued to work harmoniously and pledged to sustain the level of support previously extended to Nadaniya’s predecessor.
Similarly, the Commander of the 511 Quick Response Group, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore SP Sekego, encouraged the Acting Comptroller to integrate into the state’s security network, stressing that effective teamwork was essential to addressing security challenges.
Sekego cited the recent release of kidnapped corps members as an example of the importance of coordinated security operations, attributing the outcome to collaboration among security agencies.
At the headquarters of the 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, Owerri, the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General A. Ahmed, also underscored the need for a common approach to tackling insecurity.
Ahmed called for sustained cooperation, coordination and information-sharing among security agencies to ensure the effective discharge of their respective mandates.
He added that maintaining cordial relationships among the agencies remained critical to promoting peace, security and stability in the state.
The Acting Comptroller also visited the NSCDC Imo State Command, where the Commandant, who was also newly posted to the state, expressed readiness to work with Nadaniya and other security agencies to strengthen security operations.
The visits ended with heads of the various security agencies expressing optimism about sustaining existing relationships and deepening collaboration where necessary.
The Customs Service said the engagements were part of efforts to promote unity, strengthen institutional partnerships and improve the collective response to security challenges in Imo State.
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