Army, Customs partner to end cross-border threats, insecurity

The Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have promised to maintain their synergy to combat cross-border and internal security threats posed to the nation by criminal elements.

This was reiterated by officers of the Army and the NCS during the closing ceremony of weapons handling training conducted for about 2,000 officers of the Zone D Nigeria Customs Service in Bauchi.

Speaking at the event, the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Major General MT Durowaiye, said the training was conducted successfully as no incident was recorded throughout the exercise.

He said the training was part of a collaborative effort to complement the effort of the Nigerian Army to actualise the vision of the federal government in ending insecurity facing the country.

Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Nigerian Army 3 Division Jos, Major General Nuhu Angbazo, said the training was conducted to help the Customs officers counter activities of smugglers, who he said are now sophisticated and armed with weapons.

Angbazo, who was represented by Brigadier General M. Danmadami, called on the trainees to utilise the skills to protect the borders and curb smuggling which poses threat to the security and economy of the nation.

In his remark, the Acting Zonal Coordinator, Zone D of NCS, Kashim Ajiya, said the Service was committed to training its personnel to confront the present insecurity challenges.

Ajiya, who was represented by the Area Comptroller in charge of Bauchi and Gombe states, Kala Hafiz, said training the Customs personnel in weapons handling will help curb the security challenge being faced in the ECOWAS region as a result of smuggling in arms and other dangerous items.

Giving an overview of the training, the Training Officer,  Major L.T Madugu, said the training was conducted in batches.

According to him, the training was slated for 2,000 Customs officers of various cadres but, due to some exigencies, they have trained 1,718 personnel so far.