Nigeria to train more Customs officers against illegal wildlife trade

IN its resolve aganst illegal trade and trafficking in wildlife, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is perfecting arrangements to extend capacity building to all officers and men of the Service.

This is as a team of international partners, including the United States, has promised assistance, particularly in training expertise and technology to boost the facilities on ground at the Customs Training College, Ikeja.

Leading the partners on assessment of the facilities on ground in the college recently, the Commandant, Compt. Haniel Hadison, told the visitors that the facility was ready to receive their expertise, and that they should ‘make it a focal point in capacity building with the set objectives.

“We have officers willing to learn, and we the management of the college are also ready to give every support to achieve the set objectives.”

He commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, and the customs’ management team for their continued support to the wildlife unit.

Fielding questions after the tour, Hadison said the NCS, especially the wildlife unit, is also part of the United Nations World Wildlife Day (WWD) celebration, and “That is why the college, being where the wildlife unit of the Nigeria Customs is domiciled, is having the unit partners from other international organisations.

“We used this opportunity also to showcase how far we have journeyed in the fight against illegal trafficking in wildlife.

“So far so good, it has been an excellent outing, and there is much for the Nigeria Customs, particularly the wildlife unit, to achieve from these international partners.

“They (partners) are bringing in their expertise, technocrats, and their level of knowledge for us to tap from. Above all, it is going to be an added value, particularly as it relates to the CGC’s clarion call for capacity building.

“Recently, he particularly laid much emphasis on collaboration. Nigeria Customs cannot attain set objectives without collaborating with relevant organisations, and that is what we are experiencing at the moment.”

Speaking on the institution’s areas of need for the capacity building, Hadison stated that, “Now that everything is centered around technology, we would need them (international partners) to bring in their capabilities and competencies in the use of technology in the fight against illegal activities.

Meanwhile, he warned perpetrators of illegal wildlife trade and trafficking that the agency remains opposed to such crimes.

On her part, the officer in charge of the NCS Special Wildlife Unit, ACG Abimbola Isafiade, commended the visit of the collaborators, stating that it means “the agency is improving as the world is improving, and it means success for the future.”

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