By Linus Aleke
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) said that it is in partnership with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to deny bandits and smugglers freedom of action.
To this end, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), on Thursday agreed to synergize their efforts towards strengthening border security and stemming the tide of banditry and smuggling activities around Nigerian borders and entry points.
Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet in a statement said the NAF will help NCS in reinvigorating its anti-smuggling air operations.
Air Commodore Gabkwet said the NAF is expected to make available on request 2 of its pilots to assist with the operation of NCS Bell-427 helicopters and by so doing complement the manpower of NCS Air-Wing.
“This information is part of the content of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) consummated between both organizations. The MoU specifically sets out the terms of a joint commitment, which is expected to enhance efficiency in the areas of port and border patrols to curtail activities of smuggling syndicates across the country,” the statement said.
Speaking at the event, which was held at the NCS Headquarters, Abuja, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said the NAF will continue to encourage partnership with other security agencies as well as provide aircraft maintenance support so as to enhance the fight against all forms of insecurity in the country.
Represented by the Director of Operations, Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba, the CAS added that the NAF partnership with the NCS was a clear indication of the need for synergy and inter-agency cooperation, particularly between military and para-military organizations.
He said: “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 organizations. The current security challenges in the country call for the need to breach the gap and divide that disconnects the military and other government agencies in order to work towards achieving a common goal”.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), said the partnership with the NAF will no doubt improve NCS’ air operations and anti-smuggling efforts, particularly as it intensifies efforts in checkmating small arms proliferation across the country.
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Col Ali also thanked the CAS for offering to deploy NAF pilots to NCS’ air operations wing, so as to enhance its anti-smuggling operations.
He also called on the NAF and other Services to consider partnering with the NCS in the areas of capacity building and purposeful manpower development to improve the output of NCS personnel.
Specifically, Col Ali requested assistance from the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the training NCS personnel in para-trooping and other related fields.
This, according to him, became necessary in view of inaccessible areas used as smuggling routes which are mostly unmotorable and difficult to navigate, hence the need for the NCS to begin to consider inserting its troops in these locations via para-dropping.
