Stakeholders at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) North-West Security Summit have called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, enhanced community engagement and sustainable socio-economic interventions to tackle insecurity and promote stability across the region.
The summit, approved by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, was held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi on June 18, 2026.
According to a statement signed by Superintendent of Customs Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, Public Relations Officer for the Customs Area Controller, the event brought together representatives of the NCS, the military, police, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders to deliberate on ways of strengthening border security and regional stability.
Chairman of the summit and Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of the NCS Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation Department, Timi Bomodi, said the gathering was designed to obtain direct feedback from communities and security stakeholders on measures required to improve security and support economic development.
“Our collective goal is to create a safer environment that will enable the reopening of borders for legitimate trade and commerce when conditions permit. We must continue to engage communities, strengthen collaboration among security agencies and work together to address the factors that fuel insecurity,” Bomodi said.
The Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Umar Tafida, who represented Governor Nasir Idris, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.
Participants at the summit identified drug abuse, cross-border criminal activities, threats against informants and the displacement of some traditional rulers as key security concerns affecting communities in the state.
Stakeholders stressed the need for stronger protection of informants and greater public confidence in the justice system to encourage the reporting of criminal activities.
The summit also emphasised the importance of complementing security operations with non-kinetic measures such as youth empowerment, education, skills acquisition, agricultural support and economic opportunities.
Security agencies highlighted ongoing efforts to improve coordination and operational effectiveness, but acknowledged challenges, including communication gaps and the evolving nature of cross-border crime.