Customs Tightens Grip On Nigeria-Cameroon Waterways In Maiden Border Tour – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

In a bid to reinforce its commitment to securing the nation’s borders and inland waterways, the Acting Comptroller of the North Eastern Marine Command (NEC) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller of Customs (DC) Joseph Ikewun, embarked on a maiden operational tour of the Command’s outstations in Adamawa State.

The operational tour, held on 2 July 2026, commenced with a meeting between DC Ikewun and the Customs Area Controller of the Adamawa/Taraba Area Command, Comptroller of Customs Muhammed Tako, where both officers discussed intelligence sharing, border security, anti-smuggling operations and other areas of mutual operational interest to strengthen enforcement along the border.

Accompanied by officers of the Customs Intelligence Unit and the Operation Whirlwind Team, the Ag. Comptroller visited the Jimeta-Yola Marine Base Jetty before proceeding by patrol boat to the Ribadu, Wuroboki and Kochiel Marine Outstations along the Nigeria-Cameroon waterways.

The visit to Kochiel marked a significant milestone, making him the first Comptroller NEC to physically visit the outstation since the Command was established.

The tour also took DC Ikewun to the Muninga, Damari and Gurin Marine Outstations, where he inspected operational facilities, assessed officers’ readiness and encouraged personnel to remain disciplined, vigilant and committed to the statutory responsibilities of the NCS.

He also reassured officers serving in remote border communities of the Command’s commitment to strengthening operational capacity, improving logistics support and promoting their welfare.

During the visit, DC Ikewun met with personnel of the Marine Police and the Marine Units of the Nigeria Immigration Service stationed across the various locations to assess the level of inter-agency cooperation in the border communities.

“Sustained collaboration among security agencies remains critical to addressing smuggling, transnational crimes and other security threats along the inland waterways and international border corridors,” he said.