The Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force have reiterated their commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation in Delta State “to address security challenges, enhance intelligence sharing and promote a safe environment for legitimate trade and economic activities in the area”.
The commitment was expressed during a courtesy visit by the Edo/Delta Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dominic Ortsen, to the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale in Asaba, Delta State on Friday.
Speaking during the visit, the Customs boss said that the visit was “aimed at consolidating the existing relationship between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force, while identifying additional areas of cooperation to improve operational effectiveness and security within the respective areas of responsibility”.
Ortsen described the engagement as an important step towards strengthening professional ties and establishing effective channels of communication between the two agencies.
He acknowledged that although the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Police Force have distinct statutory mandates, their operational responsibilities intersect in several areas, particularly in addressing security threats that affect economic activities, trade and public safety.
According to him, “effective collaboration, intelligence sharing and regular stakeholder engagement are essential to identifying emerging threats, resolving operational challenges and creating an enabling environment for legitimate business activities”.
Ortsen reiterated that the Nigeria Customs Service mission is anchored on trade facilitation, revenue protection and national security, noting that achieving these objectives requires sustained cooperation with relevant security agencies.
He further expressed the Command’s readiness to maintain open communication with the Police, address areas of concern and strengthen existing relationships through constructive engagement and mutual support.
In his response, the Delta State Commissioner of Police, welcomed the initiative and assured the Customs delegation of the Police Command’s willingness to provide the necessary support to enhance security and facilitate the effective discharge of Customs responsibilities.
The police Commissioner emphasised that both agencies were working towards a common national objective and should therefore approach security challenges with a shared sense of responsibility, professionalism and mutual respect.
He encouraged officers of both services to maintain effective communication and resolve operational concerns through appropriate command channels, noting that strong relationships between leadership and personnel at different levels were essential to preventing avoidable misunderstandings.
The commissioner also highlighted the importance of coordinated security arrangements for elections and other major public activities. He noted that election security was a collective responsibility requiring the participation of relevant security agencies under established coordination mechanisms.
He stressed the need for joint planning, coordinated deployment and effective communication among participating agencies to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and prevent security breaches, particularly during the critical early hours of an electoral process.
The commissioner further advocated sustained inter-agency engagement and the designation of competent liaison officers to facilitate information exchange, operational planning and prompt resolution of issues requiring joint intervention.
