Navy, Customs in joint training, patrol to tackle cross-border crimes in Badagry
2 min read
By David Adanu
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry, in partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has concluded a two-day joint training exercise and patrol.
The synergy aimed to bolster inter-agency collaboration and strengthen maritime and border security operations.
The exercise, held from Wednesday, July 16 to Thursday, July 17, 2025, brought together officers and personnel from the Navy FOB Badagry, the NCS Seme Area Command, and the Western Marine Command.
According to a statement by the Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, Navy Captain BO Omotayo, the joint operation was aimed at enhancing operational synergy, aligning agency mandates, and promoting effective communication between the participating bodies.
Captain Omotayo emphasized the importance of collaboration and intelligence sharing in addressing the growing complexity of security threats within Nigeria’s coastal and border regions.
He noted that the exercise not only demonstrated the benefits of inter-agency synergy but also reinforced the shared commitment of both the Nigerian Navy and the Nigeria Customs Service to secure the nation’s maritime and border domains.
The first day of the exercise featured two lectures designed to improve multi-agency coordination. The sessions, titled “Optimizing Multi-Agency Cooperation Towards Enhancing Operations” and “Impact of Inter-Agency Collaboration: Leveraging Core Competence and Security Cohesion,” provided a platform for robust discussions where participants exchanged ideas, shared experiences, and explored strategies for improved joint operations and intelligence flow.
The training culminated in a practical joint patrol on the second day, with teams navigating key waterways within the Badagry operational area. The real-time scenarios tested agency interoperability and showcased their readiness to respond collectively to threats such as smuggling, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes.
This initiative reflects the strategic direction of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, as stated in the CNS Strategic Directive 06-2023, which places high priority on maritime security, inter-agency integration, and proactive engagement in Nigeria’s maritime domain and adjoining border areas, underscoring the Navy’s commitment to collaborative efforts that enhance national security across Nigeria’s maritime domain.
