The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, on Tuesday paid a working visit to the Ogun I Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in Idiroko, as both agencies pledged to deepen collaboration to enhance security and facilitate trade at the border.
During the visit, Ojajuni commended the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, for maintaining peace in one of the state’s busiest border corridors. The CP said since his assumption of office, the Command had not recorded any crime report from Idiroko, attributing the calm to the strong synergy between security agencies led by the Customs boss.
Ojajuni praised the seamless working relationship between police and customs operatives, describing the orderly security arrangement at the Idiroko-Igolo axis as a product of strong leadership and mutual trust.
He noted that despite the volume of commercial activities in the area, the corridor had remained peaceful due to reduced checkpoints and improved inter-agency coordination.
“The Customs Area Controller has done well in fostering cooperation that has optimized security and minimized unnecessary bottlenecks,” the CP said. “We will continue to support efforts that ensure lawful commerce thrives while keeping the border safe.”
In his response, Afeni thanked the Commissioner for the visit and lauded other security agencies for sustaining a cordial working relationship at the border.
He said while the Nigeria Customs Service is statutorily saddled with revenue generation, it also plays a critical role in trade facilitation, border security and national economic development.
The Customs boss disclosed that a joint “Show of Force” operation had recently been conducted with Nigerian and Beninese security counterparts to demonstrate readiness to tackle cross-border crime.
Afeni added that upon assumption of office, he met several checkpoints along the corridor, but through dialogue with sister agencies under the Joint Border Security Committee, many of them had been removed to ease movement and promote legitimate trade.
He said the Nigeria Customs Service was recently rated 100 per cent in compliance with the Ease of Doing Business metrics, a development he described as proof of ongoing reforms aimed at making the borders more trade-friendly.
The visit ended with the exchange of plaques by both heads of agencies, reaffirming their commitment to providing an enabling environment for commerce while safeguarding national security.
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