Ogun Police, Customs deepen border security collaboration to combat cross-border crimes

The Ogun State Police Command and the Nigeria Customs Service have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing and joint operations aimed at enhancing security along Ogun State’s international border corridors.

This was the focus of a high-level familiarisation visit by the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, to the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Controller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Idiroko.

CP Ojajuni was accompanied by members of the Police Command’s management team, including the Commanding Officer of the 16 Police Mobile Force Squadron, the Area Commander, Idiroko, as well as commanders of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and the Border Patrol Unit.

The police delegation was received by Deputy Controller Afeni and members of the Customs management team before proceeding to an interactive session with members of the Joint Border Security Committee.

The committee comprises representatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Forest Guards, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, So-Safe Corps, Port Health Services and the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Inter-Border Security Formation.

Speaking during the meeting, CP Ojajuni expressed satisfaction with the prevailing security situation along the border corridor and commended the leadership of the Ogun I Area Command for its professionalism and commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

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He noted that the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service along the international border contribute significantly to national security, trade facilitation and economic development.

The Commissioner also praised the existing cooperation among security agencies operating within the border communities, describing it as a model for effective inter-agency collaboration.

According to him, sustained intelligence sharing, coordinated operations and stronger partnerships remain essential to addressing emerging cross-border security threats.

While acknowledging the achievements recorded under Operation Kosaye, CP Ojajuni called for greater operational coordination and reaffirmed the Ogun State Police Command’s commitment to supporting sister security agencies in protecting lives, property and the nation’s borders.

Responding, Deputy Controller Afeni described the Commissioner’s visit as an important step toward further strengthening the longstanding relationship among security agencies operating within the border corridor.

He also acknowledged the support previously received from the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of ICT and Supervising DIG for the South-West Geopolitical Zone, Adegoke Mustapha Fayoade, during his tenure as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2.

Afeni commended CP Ojajuni for what he described as the achievements recorded since assuming office as Commissioner of Police in Ogun State.

He reiterated that the statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service extend beyond revenue generation to include border security, enforcement and trade facilitation.

According to him, the successes recorded within the border corridor are largely attributable to the unity, professionalism, mutual trust and cooperation among agencies operating under the Joint Border Security Committee.

The meeting ended with goodwill messages from the Controller of Immigration and other committee members, who pledged to sustain intelligence sharing, joint patrols and collaborative security operations aimed at maintaining a peaceful, secure and crime-free border environment.