Customs Seeks Stronger Collaboration to Fight Smuggling in Zone C

By Adebola Muili

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone C, has called for stronger collaboration among its area commands to intensify the fight against smuggling, protect government revenue and improve operational efficiency.

The Acting Comptroller of the unit, Deputy Comptroller Farouk Nadaniya, made the call during a familiarisation tour of commands within the zone on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

The tour covered the Zone C headquarters in Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt I Command, Ibeto Seaport Area 5 Command, Port Harcourt Area II (Onne) Command and Eastern Marine Command.

In a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, October 15, the unit’s Public Relations Officer, CSC R. Nche, said the visit was aimed at strengthening operational coordination, improving service delivery and fostering closer working relationships between the acting comptroller and area controllers.

During the visits, Nadaniya emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in combating smuggling, protecting government revenue and enforcing legitimate trade laws, describing these as essential to achieving the strategic objectives of the service.

He also solicited the continued support and cooperation of the area controllers and their personnel, urging them to sustain the collaboration extended to his predecessor to consolidate existing achievements and improve operational performance across the zone.

The area controllers, in their responses, assured Nadaniya of their support, pledging to maintain cordial working relationships anchored on mutual respect, professionalism, discipline and accountability.

They also urged him to build on the achievements of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, in advancing the service’s mandate.

The controllers reaffirmed their commitment to working with the acting comptroller to enhance operational efficiency across the zone and offered prayers for his guidance, protection, good health and wisdom, as well as for the officers and men of the unit.

Nadaniya also disclosed that he had held a meeting with the unit’s patrol team leaders to reinforce discipline, professionalism, vigilance and accountability in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities.

He stressed the importance of the Federal Operations Unit in advancing the mandate of the service and urged personnel to uphold the standards required to achieve its operational objectives.