Bon Peters/
In a renewed drive to deepen inter-agency collaboration in the fight against smuggling, illicit drug trafficking, and border crimes, the Comptroller of Customs, Port Harcourt Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, has embarked on strategic visits to sister agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The visits, which took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, underscore Comptroller Atuluku’s commitment to strengthening cooperation and intelligence sharing among agencies tasked with securing Nigeria’s borders and facilitating legitimate trade.
Speaking during her engagements with Comptroller of Immigration, Y.I. Abdulhajeed, and Deputy Director, NAFDAC Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Adepoju Bayo Raufu, Atuluku emphasized that collaboration between agencies was central to national security and economic growth.
“While Immigration manages the movement of persons, Customs regulates the flow of goods. Both functions are interdependent and form the backbone of national security,” she said.
She stressed that enhanced communication, joint intelligence operations, and mutual understanding among sister agencies would lead to greater success in curbing smuggling, promoting trade compliance, and protecting Nigeria’s economy.
In response, Comptroller Abdulhajeed commended the Customs boss for her proactive leadership, describing the visit as “timely and commendable.” He reaffirmed the Immigration Service’s commitment to maintaining synergy with the Customs Service for safer, well-regulated borders.
At the NAFDAC Port Inspection Directorate, Pharm. Raufu lauded the collaboration between NAFDAC and Customs, noting that their partnership had led to several successful interceptions of counterfeit and substandard goods. He expressed optimism that the renewed engagement would further strengthen trade regulation and consumer protection.
Comptroller Atuluku also extended her inter-agency outreach to the NDLEA Rivers State Command, where she met with Commander Ahmed Mamuda. She described NDLEA as a “strategic partner in safeguarding the nation from drug trafficking and abuse,” reiterating the Customs Service’s readiness to support the agency through intelligence sharing, joint operations, and capacity-building efforts.
Commander Mamuda, in his remarks, hailed the visit as a testament to proactive leadership, commending Customs for its consistent partnership in border protection and anti-drug enforcement.
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration, emphasizing that shared intelligence and coordinated operations remain essential in dismantling criminal networks and ensuring trade facilitation.
Comptroller Atuluku concluded her visits with a firm assurance: “Meaningful progress can only be achieved through purpose-driven collaboration. Together, Customs, Immigration, NAFDAC, and NDLEA form the frontline defense of our nation’s security, economy, and public health.”
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