Comptroller Joe Anani, Customs Area Controller, Tincan Island Command
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), TinCan Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Joe Anani has asserted that his Command would not be a weak link in the enforcement of import prohibitions, particularly when it concerns dangerous items capable of threatening the peace and security of our nation.
Comptroller Anani also averred that officers and men of his command would continue to remain vigilant in the discharge of their responsibilities, emphasizing that those who see “our ports as an easy route for bringing prohibited and dangerous items into Nigeria should understand that they will not find a willing partner in the Nigeria Customs Service.”
Anani made the assertion a welcome remark in Lagos, during a press briefing and handing over of illegally imported firearms.
He said: “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the TinCan Island Port Command once again, particularly on this important occasion of this press briefing and the handing over of illegally imported firearms intercepted by the Command. We are gathered here again because, as a Command, we have continued to remain vigilant in the discharge of our responsibilities. Indeed, this is not the first time this month that we are coming together for an exercise of this nature. We have witnessed similar handovers, including the recent occasion when the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, handed over seized items to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons and illicit drugs to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.”
The CAC appreciated the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi for his leadership, encouragement and unwavering support to the Command, highlighting that his commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and securing “our borders continues to inspire us.”
He also acknowledged the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons for the tremendous cooperation it has consistently extended to his Command, noting that the collaboration had gone beyond mere words.
“Our armament units worked together, spending countless hours carefully coupling and assembling the knocked-down parts of these firearms to establish exactly what had been intercepted. It is a practical demonstration of what can be achieved when security agencies work together with a common purpose.
Let me also commend the officers and men of the TinCan Island Port Command. Their vigilance, courage and dedication made these seizures possible. Behind every interception is an officer who has taken a decision to do the right thing, sometimes under difficult circumstances. I am proud of their bravery and commitment to duty.
As we hand over these items today, let us remember that this is not simply about seized firearms. It is about protecting lives, preserving national security and ensuring that our ports serve legitimate trade and economic development not as channels for introducing instruments of violence into our communities.”
