In response to escalating violence along Kebbi State’s border areas, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has organized a high-level security summit. The event, held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi, brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including military and police officers, traditional leaders, and government officials, to devise strategies for protecting lives and property.
The summit was inaugurated by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented by Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomadi. Adeniyi emphasized that the initiative aims to foster stronger cooperation among all security agencies, such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and local authorities. He noted that bandits and terrorists have repeatedly targeted checkpoints in the region, resulting in the deaths of both security personnel and civilians.
“Intelligence reports confirm that our officers, soldiers, civil defence staff, FRSC personnel, immigration officials, and innocent citizens have fallen victim to these relentless attacks,” Bomadi stated. He added that the summit is part of a broader effort by the NCS headquarters to engage affected states and develop effective countermeasures.
The Customs Area Comptroller in Kebbi, Mahmoud Ibrahim Matawalle, expressed gratitude to Governor Nasir Idris for his unwavering support and for approving the summit’s hosting. He also thanked the governor for donating two operational vehicles to strengthen surveillance along the border. Matawalle assured that the command would continue collaborating with other security outfits to enhance overall safety in the state.