The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have called for stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Army to address security challenges and improve intelligence sharing. The agencies made the call during separate visits to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, at the division’s headquarters in Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.
The visiting officials were the Comptroller of Immigration, Oyo State Command, Comptroller Ephraim Ogbemudia, and the South-West Zonal Director of NAFDAC, Dr Isaac Anjorin Kolawole. They emphasized the need for sustained cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations among the Nigerian Army, NIS, and NAFDAC to effectively tackle the country’s security challenges.
Major General Mahmuda stressed that no single agency could effectively tackle the country’s security challenges in isolation, noting that stronger institutional relationships would enhance operational effectiveness and improve responses to criminal activities. He urged the agencies to maintain cordial relationships with host communities to encourage residents to provide credible information to security operatives.
Comptroller Ogbemudia commended the Nigerian Army for its efforts in addressing security challenges in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. He expressed appreciation to the GOC and troops of the division for their commitment and selfless service, noting that the prevailing security situation required a coordinated response from relevant agencies.
Ogbemudia advocated for the establishment of an effective platform for information exchange among security agencies and stressed the need for a public-friendly approach that would encourage residents to report suspicious activities without fear. He said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation in intelligence sharing, border security, enforcement, and community relations.
Dr Kolawole commended the Nigerian Army for its continued support for NAFDAC’s regulatory activities, particularly efforts to protect Nigerians from counterfeit medicines, unsafe food products, and other substandard regulated goods. He reaffirmed NAFDAC’s commitment to ensuring that medicines, food products, and other regulated items meet prescribed safety and quality standards.
Dr Kolawole sought the Army’s continued support in enforcing relevant Federal Government regulations, including restrictions on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and certain small-volume plastic bottles. He noted that cooperation with security agencies was crucial to strengthening enforcement and improving compliance with the regulations.
Key points
- The Nigerian Immigration Service and NAFDAC are seeking stronger collaboration with the Nigerian Army to address security challenges and improve intelligence sharing.
- The agencies emphasized the need for sustained cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, and coordinated operations to effectively tackle the country’s security challenges.
- The Nigerian Army has been commended for its efforts in addressing security challenges and supporting regulatory activities.
