The Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Zone `A,’ Assistant Comptroller-General Eporwei Edike, on Wednesday said the service would reciprocate the support of both Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Edike said this during his visits to Immigration Service Zone ‘A’ and the Headquarters, Logistics Command, Nigerian Air Force, Lagos.

He commended the support of both NIS and Nigerian Air Force officers who were deployed to some border commands, adding that their support had enabled Customs to achieve numerous successes.

“I was so impressed with the support of Immigration and Air Force when I visited Customs Command at Igbeti, Oyo/Osun, Ogun, Ondo/Ekiti and Seme Commands.

“I have no option than to visit their superior officers and cement the existing relationship among the agencies.”

Edike said that Customs could not operate alone without the support of other sisters agencies.

He urged the sister agencies to write for provisional release of their consignments through the head of their particular commands, to avoid delay in clearing their equipment.

“This Pre-arrival process will save the consignments from demurrage.”

He, however, urged the two agencies (Immigration and Air Force) to always get in touch with the Customs zonal office if any effort being made at the command level failed in processing their consignments.

Edike said that the role of the Nigerian Air Force and Immigration in Customs revenue generation could not be over-emphasised.

The zonal coordinator said that the Nigerian Air Force assisted Customs in providing maximum security, which had encouraged more passengers coming through the airports.

He said that the numerous passengers coming through the airports had increased Customs revenue, adding that the Immigration Service had also boosted the image of Nigerians travelling abroad.

In his response, Assistant Comptroller-General Adamu Musa, commended the efforts of the Customs zonal coordinator for deeming it fit to visit the zone.

“I feel fulfilled and honoured and I think my mission is completed with the visit of the zonal coordinator of Customs to our office.

“The nation will not be protected if Immigration officers are not there to control and check the behaviour of human beings.

“Customs officers are also there to check equipment coming through both the ports and border stations.”

He said that sharing intelligence would go a long way in improving the synergy between Immigration and the Customs Service.

Musa said the service was ready to assist the Customs Service in achieving its mandate.

He also commended Customs for special interest in fast-tracking the clearance of consignments of the service out of the ports.

The Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Logistics Command, AVM Mohammed Muhammadu, commended Customs for appreciating officers at the border stations.

He said that the Air Force could not relent in assisting Customs in protecting the nation.

Muhammadu commended Customs for giving the consignments of the service the deserved priority due to the sensitivity of the equipment.

“I will not relent in supporting Customs to meet and if possible surpass the revenue target given set by the Federal Government.

“Since my resumption in September, I have received a lot of support from Customs. I pray it will continue, to enable the government to achieve its mandate.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Col Hameed Ali (rtd).

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