The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on 11 December, 2024!in Abuja concluded a three-day workshop on the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Geoportal Tool, aimed at strengthening efforts to combat illicit trafficking through general aviation.
The training, held from 9 to 11 December 2024 in Abuja, equipped 32 strategically selected officers with the skills required to utilise the tool as part of the WCO’s Colibri project.
Speaking at the event, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Comptroller Emmanuel Oshogba of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU), underscored the significance of capacity-building initiatives in tackling transnational organised crime, including the proliferation of small arms and illicit substances.
The WCO Colibri project, funded by the European Union, is designed to secure general aviation operations to combat activities such as arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and money laundering. Comptroller Oshogba stressed the importance of field officers conducting effective general aviation controls and uploading accurate data to the Geoportal, a key element of the project’s success.
“The Colibri project is vital as it addresses one of our core mandates—protecting society. It is not merely a Nigerian initiative but an international collaboration involving the WCO, EU, and agencies such as the NDLEA, NCAA, Nigerian Police, and Nigerian Air Force,” Oshogba stated.
Participants were drawn from major airports, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. Oshogba described them as carefully selected for their proficiency with IT tools, urging them to apply their training in the field and ensure the accurate uploading of data.
“This training focuses on fieldwork, not just theory. The results we anticipate from you in your areas of responsibility will determine the project’s success,” Oshogba remarked. He further praised the Comptroller-General of Customs for his unwavering support and the WCO for its mentorship and capacity-building efforts.
The Geoportal Tool, described as a crucial technology, enables customs officers to monitor operations both locally and globally. While currently in its pilot phase, Oshogba expressed optimism about expanding its use to land borders and other critical areas to further enhance national security.
The workshop demonstrates the NCS’s commitment to adopting modern tools and fostering international collaboration to bolster its fight against illicit trade and transnational crime.
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