Army, NAFDAC, immigration service move to address security challenges, protect public health

In a bid to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) paid separate visits to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Auwalu Mahmuda. The GOC received in audience the Comptroller of Immigration, Oyo State Command, Comptroller Ephraim Ogbemudia, and the Zonal Director, South-West Zone, NAFDAC, Isaac Anjorin Kolawole, at the Division’s Headquarters in Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.

While welcoming them, the GOC called for improved collaboration between NA, NIS and NAFDAC, adding that it is necessary to address security challenges and protect public health.

Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Lieutenant Colonel and Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, in a statement quoted the GOC as stressing that no single agency could effectively tackle the country’s security challenges in isolation, emphasising the need for sustained cooperation, timely intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.

Major General Mahmuda said stronger institutional relationships would improve operational effectiveness and help security agencies respond more effectively to criminal activities. He also urged the visiting officials to maintain cordial relations with host communities to encourage residents to provide credible information to security agencies. He assured both agencies of the Division’s continued support, noting that effective partnerships remained essential to safeguarding lives and property.

Earlier, Comptroller Ogbemudia commended the NA for its efforts in addressing the security situation at Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

He thanked the GOC and troops of 2 Division for their commitment and selfless service, noting that the security challenges required a coordinated response from relevant agencies.

He further said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation in intelligence sharing, border security, enforcement and community relations. Comptroller Ogbemudia advocated for an effective platform for exchanging information and stressed the need for security agencies to maintain a public-friendly approach that would encourage residents to report suspicious activities without fear.

Relatedly, the Zonal Director, NAFDAC, Kolawole also commended the NA for its continued support for NAFDAC’s regulatory activities, particularly efforts in protecting Nigerians from counterfeit medicines, unsafe food products and other substandard regulated goods. He said the agency remained committed to ensuring that medicines, food products and other regulated items meet the required safety and quality standards.

Kolawole solicited continued support in enforcing applicable Federal Government regulations, including restrictions on alcoholic beverages packaged in sachets and certain small-volume plastic bottles. He stressed that cooperation with security agencies was necessary to strengthen enforcement and improve compliance.