By Peter Ayoade
The Nigerian Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command has told the Nigerian Police Force not to see them as their rival, but as a partner in progress.
This was made known by the Comptroller of Customs, Oyo/Osun Area Command, Mrs Uche Ngozi while receiving the new Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Nwachukwu Enwonwu in her office, during a courtesy visit of the new CP to the Nigerian Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Area Command noted that the Nigeria Customs Service have been working together as a family with the Nigerian Police, adding that NIS is ever ready to partner with Police in achieving the same objectives.
In her words, “Police and Custom have been working together, we shared information and we are working towards the same security goal.
“Don’t see us a rival, we are not competing with you, we are all working for the goodness, and progress of Nigeria, although our uniform is different, but we are working for the same Federal Government of Nigeria.
“We are always there for you because of our inter-relations and working relationship, there will be more synergy, and more cooperation between us, it has always been like that and it shall continue.
The Customs boss pointed out that Senior officers within the sisters security agency don’t used to have issue with each other, but the problem lies on the junior rank officers, that was why there must be a proper monitoring between the officers of the two agencies.
“As public servants, we need to treat people with courtesy, we need cordial relationship in order for us to be able to work effectively without any rancour between us.
She however called on the NIS officers to give more cooperation and maximum supports to the new CP, saying that nobody has a monopoly of knowledge.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Nwachuckwu Enwonwu, stated that the Nigerian Police Force as the mother of all securities agencies in Nigeria is saddled with the responsibilities of the protection of lives and properties of Nigerians, adding that Police and Custom are like siblings, because the roles of the two brothers security agency are well defined in Nigeria constitution.
“Police will continue to cooperate and support you, our doors are widely opened, handover anybody who wants to violate the law to us, and we shall deal with them accordingly.
“Those who are on the side of the law are our friends and those who are against the law are our enemy irrespective of their political or religious status.
The Commissioner of Police was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipupo, Assitant Commissioner of Police, Gabriel Dibie, CSP Apapa Olubunmi, SP Gbenga Fadeyi, DSP Ogunmode John, and DSP Chinemelu Bartholomew among others.
