The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has convened a security summit in Kebbi State aimed at addressing persistent attacks by terrorists and other criminal elements in border communities.
The maiden summit, held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi, brought together security agencies, traditional rulers and government officials to discuss measures to improve security and protect lives and property.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller Timi Bomadi, said the summit was organised to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, including the military, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Department of State Services, DSS, traditional institutions and the state government.
According to him, security personnel and civilians have lost their lives in repeated attacks by bandits and terrorists targeting checkpoints in border areas of the state.
“Security reports indicated that our officers, military, civil defence, FRSC, immigration and civilians have lost their lives to bandits and terrorists as a result of constant attacks by criminals on checkpoints at border areas in Kebbi State,” he said.
He added that the summit formed part of efforts by the Customs headquarters to engage stakeholders in affected states and devise strategies to curb attacks and other criminal activities.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Comptroller in Kebbi, Mahmoud Ibrahim Matawalle, commended Governor Nasir Idris for supporting security agencies and approving the hosting of the summit in the state.
Matawalle also appreciated the governor for donating two operational vehicles to the command to enhance surveillance along border communities.
He assured that the command would continue working with other security agencies to improve security across the state.
