The Nigeria Customs Service has revealed plans to embark on a Radiological and Nuclear Detection Programme.
In a statement on Wednesday, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, said that the move was aimed at fortifying the country’s security against the smuggling of nuclear materials.
Maiwada said that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced this strategic initiative during the inauguration of a 4-day capacity-building workshop organised by the World Customs Organisation at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College in Abuja on Tuesday.
The CGC, who was represented at the event by Assistant Comptroller General Malanta Yusuf, highlighted the programme’s significance.
He expressed optimism that it would provide participants with the technical expertise needed to detect and combat the illicit trafficking of radiological and nuclear materials.
This move, according to Adeniyi, is expected to enhance cross-border security, exposing participants to operational challenges while fostering a deeper understanding of the multifaceted roles involved in this innovative approach.
He emphasised Custom’s commitment to innovation as a critical element in improving its overall performance.
He underscored the importance of the training organised by the WCO, adding that it ensured that officers benefit from cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
“We are trying to make sure that such training organised by the World Customs Organisation benefits our officers because clearly, the Comptroller-General has put too much effort into ensuring that innovation is one of the key elements,” he said.
Also speaking, the NCS’s Radiation Safety Officer, Nafi’u Abubakar, praised the CGC’s decisive approval of the Radiological and Nuclear Detection Programme.
Abubakar highlighted the initiative’s rarity on a global scale, positioning Nigeria as one of the first countries to domestically implement the project.
He stated that the programme’s significance extended beyond its novelty, foreseeing substantial benefits for the NCS.
“The training was truly remarkable, and its benefits will undoubtedly enhance the Nigeria Customs Service – and one of the pivotal roles it will play is that it will advance the Customs’ capabilities,” affirmed Nafi’u.
The Director of Radiological Safety at the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Dr Isa Sambo, hailed the CGC’s timely training approval, recognising its potential to eliminate border crimes and enhance the nation’s capability to tackle emerging threats effectively.
He noted, “The move is poised to position Nigeria at the forefront of global efforts to secure borders against the illicit trafficking of radiological and nuclear materials.”
