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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris and Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, have sought quick returns of peace and adequate security along border communities to boost trade facilitations among neighborhood nations.
They stated this during the maiden edition of the security summit organised by the Kebbi Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service in Birnin Kebbi, tagged: “Strengthening inter-agency collaboration for effective border security and regional stability.”
Speaking at the event, Governor Nasir Idris, represented by his Deputy, Senator Abubakar Umar Tafida, described the summit as timely, considering the security challenges in the North-West region of the country.
“The threats we face from banditry to trans-border crimes do not respect state lines. In this regard, I am delighted to note that the Nigeria Customs Service is forging strong ties with diplomatic missions and security agencies to improve border security and trade facilitation.
“It is worthy of note that the NCS continues to deepen its global footprint through structured collaboration frameworks with over twenty customs administrations worldwide, with focus areas spanning knowledge exchange, capacity development, and operational synergy, all geared towards improving trade facilitation and border management.
“On our part, the Kebbi State Government remains a dedicated partner to the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in the ongoing Tsamiya Dry Port Project in Bagudo Local Government. We see this as a game-changer for our economy and a strategic asset for regional security.”
He said the state is also fully committed to collaborating with the security agencies in deepening border security, especially by virtue of Kebbi State’s position of sharing common borders with the Republics of Benin and Niger.
“We understand that a secure border is a prosperous border. Beyond security, Kebbi State is also a haven for deepening trade and commerce in places such as Kamba, Gunki, and other border markets at Kangiwa and Bachaka. Our goal is to facilitate legitimate trade while keeping our communities safe from criminal elements.”
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Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller General of NCS, Timi Bomodi, noted that the collaboration of all security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders would assist the Customs to reopen borders in the state for viable economic activities.
He explained that the reopening of a few borders by President Bola Tinubu diffused tension between the Benin Republic and Nigeria.
“I am sure you will all agree with me that this has gone a long way to helping diffuse the tension in the state significantly. We are here to talk about something very important and that is strengthening the collaboration between all the security agencies in the state.
“I would like to quote a South Africa proverb which says that, ‘If you want to go fast, travel alone but if you want to go far, travel together. ‘ So, I will paraphrase that in the area of security; if you want to be a champion, act alone but if you want to achieve great results, instead of being a champion, work together. We cannot carry out the security functions of maintaining law and order within all these environments.”
Adeniyi noted that to have effective border control and secured, digital operations and intelligence driving borders, there must be synergy among the security agencies.
“We understand that security is not exclusive, it is a collaborative effort.. it is important that we get feedback that is going to help us to activate the strategies that would be effective for border management.”
He added that if criminals are working together to attack the nation, there is nothing wrong if security agencies could team up, secures the country.”
He added that the solution the leaders of the Security agencies would proffer at the summit will determine if the remaining borders in Kebbi state will be open or not.
Comptroller of Kebbi Area Command, Mahmud Matawelle Ibrahim, in his welcome address, noted that the collaboration of sister agencies are necessary to ensure proper security in the border community.
