By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has urged stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Customs Service against trans-border crimes.

Jimoh made the call during a courtesy visit to Zone A Customs Coordinator, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Lagos.

Zone 2 Police spokesperson, DSP Gbenga Afolayan, in a statement on Friday, said the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation against smuggling, arms trafficking and other trans-border criminal activities.

Jimoh, accompanied by his management team, thanked Customs officials for their warm reception and reaffirmed the importance of sustained inter-agency cooperation.

He described Lagos and Ogun as strategic border states with extensive land and maritime boundaries requiring coordinated security efforts and continuous intelligence sharing.

“Sustained intelligence sharing and joint operations remain essential to tackling emerging security threats across our border communities,” he said.

Jimoh said stronger police-customs cooperation had become increasingly necessary as preparations for the 2027 general elections gradually gathered momentum nationwide.

He noted that enhanced collaboration would help curb smuggling of arms, ammunition, illicit drugs, prohibited goods and other items threatening national security.

“We must deny criminal networks every opportunity to exploit our borders and undermine the nation’s security,” the AIG said.

Jimoh reaffirmed Zone 2 Headquarters’ commitment to strengthening its partnership with Customs to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and enhance public safety.

Responding, Babandede praised Jimoh’s leadership, humility and commitment to national service, describing the relationship between both agencies as productive and mutually beneficial.

He said the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, had continued enjoying cordial cooperation with Zone 2 Police Headquarters in tackling security challenges.

Babandede expressed confidence that deeper intelligence sharing, coordinated enforcement operations and stronger collaboration would deliver greater successes against trans-border crimes.

He added: “Our partnership will continue producing improved operational results and strengthen efforts to secure Nigeria’s borders against criminal activities.” (NAN)

•PHOTO: The Zonal Coordinator of the Nigeria Customs Service, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, during a courtesy visit to the Zone A Headquarters in Lagos on Friday