Customs Boss Nwala rallies police, EFCC behind Akwa Ibom Security Push, Tours Liberty Oil and Gas
Uyo, Nov. 5, 2026, The Acting Area Controller, Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Command, DC Nkiru Nwala, has rallied security agencies and investors for deeper collaboration against smuggling and economic sabotage.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Yireabasi Ukpong, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday day, saying Nwala visited the Police Command, the EFCC and toured Liberty Oil and Gas in Ikot Abasi.
At the Police Command, Nwala said that the statutory duties of both agencies depend largely on intelligence sharing, operational coordination and mutual institutional support to tackle smuggling and economic sabotage.
She said that Akwa Ibom’s coastal location and commercial activity bring opportunities as well as security responsibilities, calling for stronger communication channels for timely exchange of actionable intelligence.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, welcomed the visit, pointing to security concerns in the state that need more attention, and affirmed readiness to sustain collaboration on intelligence sharing.
Azare also pledged the Command’s readiness to sustain collaboration on joint security interventions and the protection of lives and property in the state, for the benefit of residents and investors.
At the EFCC, Nwala stressed that increasingly complex economic crimes call for intelligence-driven operations, timely information sharing and close cooperation among law enforcement bodies in tackling financial crimes.
She named financial crimes, smuggling and illicit financial flows as major areas of concern, urging stronger synergy between Customs and the EFCC to protect the nation’s economy and national security.
The Uyo Zonal Director, ACE I Oshodi Johnson, urged Customs officers to be more careful on social media, warning that fraudsters impersonate officers to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
In another development, Nwala made a familiarisation visit to Liberty Oil and Gas, where she was taken on a guided tour of the site and observed ongoing construction and the progress of the investment.
She described the project as massive and well positioned for future growth, noting its potential for the oil and gas sector, while the Command reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, partnerships and legitimate trade.
