The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said on Wednesday that it will be launching a nuclear and radiological detection program with the goal of strengthening national security by combating the smuggling of nuclear materials.This was said in Abuja by Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi at the opening of a four-day workshop on capacity building sponsored by the World Customs Organization (WCO).
The CGC emphasized the importance of the program and expressed hope that it would give participants the technical know-how required to identify and stop the illegal trafficking of radioactive and nuclear materials. Malanta Yusuf, the service assistant comptroller general, represented the CGC.
He clarified that by exposing participants to operational issues and promoting a deeper knowledge of the diverse responsibilities engaged in this novel approach, the program is designed to improve cross-border security.
He praised the leadership of Customs for their coordinated efforts, highlighting the importance of innovation as a means of enhancing the Service's overall performance.
He emphasized how crucial it is for the WCO to host training sessions so that officers can acquire state-of-the-art information and abilities.
He stated: "Clearly, the Comptroller-General has put too much effort into ensuring that innovation is one of the key elements, so we are trying to ensure that such training organized by the World Customs Organization benefits our Officers."
Speaking as well, Nafi'u Abubakar, the Radiation Safety Officer for the Nigeria Customs Service, commended the CGC for its resolute endorsement of the Radiological and Nuclear Detection Program (RANDA).
Abubakar emphasized the initiative's uniqueness on a worldwide level, establishing Nigeria as one of the first nations to carry out this ground-breaking endeavor domestically.
He noted that the program's importance goes beyond its novelty and that the Nigeria Customs Service stands to gain a great deal from it.
He said, "The training was genuinely exceptional, and its advantages would surely strengthen the Nigeria Customs Service—advancing the Customs' capabilities is one of the crucial responsibilities it will play.”
But Dr. Isa Sambo FSI, Director of Radiological Safety at the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, praised the CGC for its prompt training approval, citing its ability to end border crimes and improve the country's capacity to properly address new risks.
"The action is set to place Nigeria at the forefront of international efforts to secure borders against the illicit trafficking of radiological and nuclear materials," he confirmed.
With the Customs Service preparing to combat nuclear smuggling with innovative methods, the endorsement from an experienced specialist such as Dr. Sambo highlights the potential game-changing impact of this tactical move.