Navy, Customs train to enhance capacity dev’t, strengthen coordination

Navy, Customs train to enhance capacity dev’t, strengthen coordination

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of Nigerian Navy, Badagry has organised a two-day joint training exercise and patrol with the Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) Seme Area Command and the Western Marine Command, Lagos.

The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Capt. Leye Omotayo said the aim of the training was to deepen inter-agency collaboration and build operational synergy.

According to him, the training was designed to strengthen coordination, enhance capacity development and promote a unified approach to maritime security and border enforcement.

“It focuses on aligning agency mandates, fostering effective communication and bridging knowledge gaps critical to mission success in Nigeria’s backwaters and border regions,” he said

Navy Capt. Leye Omotayo, the Commanding Officer, Federal Operating Base (FOB), of Nigerian Navy, Badagry, Lagos

In his opening remarks, Omotayo underscored the importance of cooperation, shared understanding. and information exchange in addressing the increasingly complex security challenges in the region.

He emphasised that the training would serve as a platform for improved interaction and more efficient joint responses to economic threats.

Omotayo said on Day 1 of the training, Officers and men from FOB BADAGRY, NCS Seme Area Command and Western Marine Command participated in two insightful lectures aimed at enhancing inter-agency collaboration.

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“The first lecture titled: “Optimising Multi-Agency Cooperation Towards Enhancing Operations,” while the second focused on “Impact of Inter-Agency Collaboration:Leveraging Core Competence and Security Cohesion.

“This was followed by a robust interactive session where participants engaged in open dialogue, shared experiences and discussed strategies to strengthen coordination and improve intelligence sharing among the agencies.

“The practical exercise was concluded on day 2, featuring joint patrol across designated waterways within the Badagry operational environment.

“This practical segment enabled participating agencies to apply the key points addressed from the previous day. test their interoperability and enhance response coordination in real-time scenarios.

“The patrol not only demonstrated the effectiveness of improved synergy but also reinforced the commitment of both agencies to jointly tackle the challenges of smuggling, human trafficking and other cross-border crimes,” he said.

Omotayo said the initiative reflected the strategic direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, as stated in the CNS Strategic Directive 06-2023.

“This places high priority on maritime security, inter-agency integration, and proactive engagement in Nigeria’s maritime and border environments,” he said.