…hail peace in Ogun border corridor

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta 

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, has commended the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, for its role in maintaining security and facilitating legitimate cross-border trade, describing the Idiroko border corridor as one of the most peaceful, despite its strategic importance.

Ojajuni gave the commendation during a familiarisation and working visit to the Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Olukayode Afeni, at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Idiroko.

The visit, attended by senior police officers and members of the Joint Border Security Committee, was aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration, enhancing intelligence sharing and consolidating existing security frameworks along Ogun State’s international border.

The Police Commissioner, accompanied by members of his management team, including the Commanding Officer of the 16 Police Mobile Force Squadron, the Area Commander, Idiroko, and commanders of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Border Patrol units, was received by Afeni and his management team before holding an interactive session with security stakeholders.

Representatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Nigeria Forest Guards, So-Safe Corps, Port Health Services and the Permanent Secretary, Inter-Border Security Formation, also participated in the meeting.

Speaking during the visit, Ojajuni expressed satisfaction with the security situation in the border corridor, saying the sustained cooperation among security agencies had yielded significant results.

“Since I assumed office as Commissioner of Police, I have not received any major crime complaint from Idiroko. Considering that this is one of Ogun State’s busiest international border communities, this is a remarkable achievement made possible through the strong collaboration among security agencies,” he said.

The police commissioner praised the leadership of the Customs Area Command for fostering professionalism, mutual trust and operational synergy, noting that security arrangements at the Idiroko-Igolo border reflected effective coordination among sister agencies.

He also commended the Joint Border Security Committee for reducing unnecessary checkpoints along the corridor, describing the initiative as a practical step towards improving legitimate trade while maintaining effective border security.

According to him, “The level of cooperation among security agencies here is exemplary and worthy of emulation. Sustained intelligence sharing, joint operations and mutual support remain critical to addressing emerging security threats and safeguarding our nation’s borders.”

Ojajuni further acknowledged the contributions of Operation Kosaye and reaffirmed the Ogun State Police Command’s commitment to supporting all security agencies operating within the border corridor.

Responding, the Acting Customs Area Controller and Chairman of the Joint Border Security Committee, Deputy Comptroller Afeni, described the commissioner’s visit as “an August visit in July,” saying it reflected the cordial relationship among security agencies in the area.

He reiterated that beyond revenue generation, the Nigeria Customs Service plays a strategic role in border security, trade facilitation and national economic development.

“The successes we have recorded within this border corridor are products of unity, professionalism, cooperation and the mutual trust shared by all security agencies under the Joint Border Security Committee,” Afeni said.

He disclosed that the committee, through sustained dialogue and collaboration, had successfully reduced multiple security checkpoints inherited along the corridor, eliminating bottlenecks that previously hindered the movement of persons and goods.

According to him, the initiative has improved operational efficiency, facilitated legitimate trade and strengthened security without compromising enforcement responsibilities.

Afeni also highlighted a recent joint “Show of Force” operation conducted by Nigerian and Beninese security agencies, describing it as a demonstration of the two countries’ readiness to combat cross-border crime through coordinated action.

He added that the Nigeria Customs Service’s recent 100 per cent compliance rating on Ease of Doing Business indicators reflected ongoing reforms aimed at modernising border operations and promoting legitimate trade.

The engagement ended with goodwill messages from heads of participating security agencies, who pledged to sustain intelligence sharing, joint operations and coordinated efforts to maintain a peaceful and crime-free border environment.

The visit concluded with the exchange of commemorative plaques between the Commissioner of Police and the Acting Customs Area Controller, symbolising their shared commitment to strengthening border security while creating an enabling environment for lawful commercial activities.