Customs, Navy Pledge Stronger Partnership To Tackle Maritime Crimes

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to deeper inter-agency cooperation and national security following a courtesy visit from senior officers of the Nigerian Navy’s Western Naval Command to the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Lagos.
The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration in combating maritime crime, smuggling and other threats to the nation.

A press statement by Chief Superintendent of Customs Akaninyene Edeminam, Zonal Public Relations Officer for Zone A, said the Navy delegation was led by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha.

The delegation was received by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Zonal Coordinator, ACG Mohammed Babandede. The meeting took place on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 and forms part of ongoing efforts to reinforce ties between the two agencies.

Rear Admiral Mustapha was quoted thanking ACG Babandede for the reception and said the visit was intended to formally introduce himself and identify areas for strengthening the long-term partnership between the Navy and Customs.

He described the NCS as a critical national asset in revenue generation and trade facilitation, and commended its adoption of innovation, technology and artificial intelligence to streamline operations.

“The Customs is partnering with the government to upgrade some of the best ports. With innovation and technology, certain problems will be a thing of the past,” he said.

Mustapha identified enforcement as a core intersection between the Navy and Customs, noting both agencies’ roles in intercepting criminal activity and safeguarding the nation’s borders. He emphasised Customs’ role in curbing illicit drug trafficking and highlighted the Navy’s application of intelligence and technology-driven enforcement at sea as vital to stemming the tide.

Responding, ACG Babandede thanked Rear Admiral Mustapha for the visit and reiterated that Customs’ mandate extends beyond revenue collection to include implementation of trade policies and protection of national security by monitoring harmful goods and equipment.

“The government doesn’t just collect money. It is also interested in protecting local industries and creating jobs,” he said..

ACG Babandede praised the military as a national pride and commended the Navy’s efforts, expressing readiness to deepen cooperation. He said collaboration with other security agencies is a key policy thrust of Comptroller-General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, particularly in response to the proliferation of Indian hemp, codeine, cocaine and other illicit substances across West Africa.

He added that strengthened collaboration is essential to improving institutional effectiveness.