Customs, Airforce Partner Against Banditry, Smugglers At Borders

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) have said they will partner in the war against banditry and smuggling across border routes in the country.
Part of this arrangement is for the Airforce to provide on request two pilots who will fly the Customs Bell-427 helicopters.
According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations, this will go a long way in complementing the manpower of the Customs Air Wing.
Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, who stated this during the signing of the MoU at Customs headquarters, said the Air Force will continue to encourage synergy with security agencies and also offer aircraft maintenance support as part of the war against insecurity in the country.
Amao, who was represented at the occasion by Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Nnamdi Ananaba, said there was always the need for synergy and inter-agency cooperation, adding that this was particularly good for para-military organisations.
“The MoU will go a long way in building on the already existing cordial and cooperative relationship as well as ensure seamless collaboration between our organisations”, he said.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (rtd), on his part, said the partnership will improve the customs air operations  anti-smuggling measures.
According to Ali, this will check small arms proliferation into the country through the border areas.
While thanking the CAS for the offer to provide pilots for customs air operations wing, Ali noted that the partnership will impact positively on anti-smuggling efforts at the end of the day.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos