Afeni Visits Security Agencies to Strengthen Cooperation

The Acting Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, has called for deeper collaboration among security agencies to combat smuggling, cross-border crimes, and other threats in Lagos and its environs.

Afeni made the appeal during a familiarisation tour of sister security and law enforcement agencies in Lagos, which began on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of FOU Zone ‘A’, Chief Superintendent of Customs Hussaini Abdullahi, the visits were designed to strengthen existing relationships and promote intelligence sharing, joint operations, and effective information exchange.

At the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, Afeni was received by Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai. He stressed the importance of closer cooperation, particularly as the country approaches the election period, when criminal elements may attempt to exploit the situation. Afeni noted that the responsibilities of FOU Zone ‘A’ extend beyond border protection, requiring inter-agency synergy to safeguard national interests.

CP Fatai welcomed the initiative, describing cooperation between the Police and Customs as vital to maintaining law and order in Lagos despite its large population and complex security challenges.

Afeni also 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. The GOC emphasised the need to sustain joint efforts against criminality and cautioned against administrative bottlenecks that could undermine operational efficiency.

The tour included engagements with 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. These meetings provided opportunities to strengthen institutional relationships and identify practical areas of cooperation in law enforcement and security operations across Lagos and the wider FOU Zone ‘A’.

All agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the Customs Service to combat smuggling and other criminal activities with FOU Zone ‘A’s dedication to inter-agency cooperation in support of national security, revenue protection, trade facilitation, and the safeguarding of Nigeria’s economic interests.