Police, Customs Deepen Collaboration In Cross River, As NCS Rolls Out New SOP For Courier Operations Under DDP Regime

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NIGERIA, CALABAR – The Cross River State Police Command and the Nigeria Customs Service have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthened inter-agency collaboration as security and trade facilitation reforms take centre stage in the state.

The renewed cooperation was underscored on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, when the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, received the newly deployed Customs Area Controller for Cross River and Akwa Ibom Area Command, Comptroller Momodu Giwa Dauda, at the Police Command Headquarters in Calabar.

The courtesy visit, police authorities explained, was designed to consolidate institutional partnerships between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly in addressing evolving security challenges and cross-border economic crimes.

Speaking during the meeting, CP Afegbua described inter-agency synergy as indispensable to modern policing and effective border management, noting that no single security institution can operate in isolation in the face of transnational threats.

According to the police commissioner, crimes such as smuggling, illegal arms trafficking, revenue diversion, and other forms of economic sabotage require sustained intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement among sister agencies.

“Security today is intelligence-driven and collaborative,” CP Afegbua said, stressing that the police command would continue to support customs operatives through joint operations, information exchange, and operational coordination.

He assured the new Customs Area Controller that the Cross River State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property while supporting lawful trade and economic stability across border communities.

Members of the police management team present at the meeting echoed the commissioner’s position, emphasizing that mutual respect and clearly defined operational roles remain key to effective inter-agency engagement.

In his response, Comptroller Momodu Giwa Dauda expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded him by the police leadership, describing the visit as timely and strategic.

The customs controller noted that Cross River State occupies a sensitive border position that requires deliberate collaboration between enforcement agencies to prevent criminal exploitation of trade routes.

“Our mandate goes beyond revenue collection; it includes national security and trade facilitation,” Dauda stated, adding that Customs would work closely with the police to sustain peace and economic order.

He reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s readiness to support joint security initiatives, particularly in combating smuggling networks and ensuring compliance with customs laws and international trade standards.

The meeting, officials said, ended on a cordial note, with both agencies pledging sustained collaboration toward a safer environment for residents and legitimate business operators across the state.

The renewed partnership comes as the Nigeria Customs Service formally commenced the implementation of a new Standard Operating Procedure regulating courier companies operating under the Delivered Duty Paid regime.

In a separate press release issued through its official communication channels, the NCS announced that the new SOP establishes a unified framework for courier operations, from registration to final delivery and compliance monitoring.

The service explained that the Delivered Duty Paid initiative aligns Nigeria’s courier clearance processes with international best practices, while strengthening transparency, accountability, and revenue assurance.

According to the NCS, the legal foundation of the SOP is anchored on the International Chamber of Commerce Incoterms 2020, the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and key global trade instruments.

These instruments include the World Customs Organization SAFE Framework of Standards, the Revised Kyoto Convention, the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement, and existing national guidelines on courier clearance.
Under the new procedure, courier companies seeking to operate within the DDP framework are required to obtain operational licences from the NCS Headquarters License and Permit Unit.

A major operational requirement under the SOP is the submission of an Advance Electronic Manifest at least 24 hours before shipment arrival, clearly indicating DDP as the applicable Incoterm.

The manifest must contain complete shipment details such as Harmonised System codes, item descriptions, declared values, countries of origin, and consignee information, in line with global standards.

The NCS further directed that courier companies would act as declarants by filing Single Goods Declarations through the B’Odogwú digital platform.

Truth live news reports that the Customs authorities stated that applicants must submit comprehensive documentation, including Corporate Affairs Commission registration papers, valid courier licences, compliance bonds, and a formal application to operate under the DDP regime.

These declarations, customs officials noted, must include accurate Free on Board values supported by invoices, airway bills, and packing lists to ensure proper valuation and classification.

Full payment of customs duties, value-added tax, and other statutory levies must be completed through authorised NCS payment channels before goods can be cleared for delivery.

Explaining enforcement mechanisms, the service stated that risk-based cargo profiling would guide inspections, with physical examinations conducted where discrepancies or high-risk indicators are detected.

Delivery of consignments to recipients is permitted only after full customs clearance, while Proof of Delivery documents must be provided to customs officers upon request.

To strengthen compliance, the NCS announced the introduction of periodic Post-Clearance Audits to verify the accuracy of declarations and prevent revenue leakages.

The audits will also confirm adherence to classification and valuation standards, ensuring that the DDP framework is not abused by operators.

Customs warned that violations such as false declarations, non-payment of duties, or operational misconduct would attract severe sanctions under the NCS Act, 2023.

These sanctions include suspension or revocation of clearance licences, seizure of goods, financial penalties with interest, and prosecution where necessary.

Reacting to the development, security and trade analysts observed that closer police-customs collaboration would be critical to enforcing the new SOP effectively, especially in border states like Cross River.

They noted that intelligence sharing between the two agencies could help identify illicit courier operations, under-declaration practices, and organised smuggling networks exploiting logistics channels.

The Nigeria Customs Service, through its National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to trade facilitation and institutional integrity.

“The commencement of this SOP reflects our resolve to strengthen the clearance process, enhance revenue assurance, and ensure courier operations meet global compliance standards,” Maiwada said.

Observers believe that the convergence of security collaboration and regulatory reform signals a broader effort by federal agencies to balance enforcement with economic growth.

For residents and business operators in Cross River State, authorities insist that the combined approach will promote safer communities, lawful trade, and improved confidence in public institutions.

The police and customs leaderships maintained that sustained dialogue, professionalism, and respect for legal frameworks would remain central to achieving these objectives in the months ahead.