Seme Customs Deepens Community Collaboration to Strengthen Border Security
By Abass Quadri
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, has strengthened its campaign against smuggling and other cross-border crimes through a grassroots stakeholder engagement initiative aimed at fostering closer collaboration between security agencies and border communities.
The stakeholders’ engagement, held in Badagry on Thursday, 25 June 2026, brought together heads of sister security agencies, traditional rulers, youth leaders, community development representatives, and other key stakeholders to discuss collective strategies for safeguarding the nation’s border corridor.
In his opening remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Abdullahi Kaila, described the gathering as a deliberate effort to reinforce the importance of protecting Nigeria’s gateway to the Republic of Benin, which he said remains a vital component of the country’s national security architecture.
According to him, evolving security threats along the border require greater cooperation between enforcement agencies and residents of border communities. “Security is no longer the exclusive business of men in uniform alone. The complexity of cross-border crimes, from the smuggling of small arms to human trafficking, illicit drugs, and irregular migration, demands a whole-of-society approach,” Kaila said.
He further noted that the bond of trust between security agencies and communities serves as a critical line of defence against trans-border crimes.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Honourable Babatunde Hunpe, described the Badagry Kingdom as a strategic national asset that contributes significantly to the Federal Government’s revenue through legitimate cross-border trade and economic activities.
He called on residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with useful information, while commending the efforts of community leaders in maintaining security. “When you see something say something. I want to appreciate the Community Development Council for what they have been doing. They have played significant role in intelligence and we are always alert as people for any security infraction,” he said.
