Customs to Commission Seagoing Gunboats in Lagos

Nigeria Customs Service will today commission two seagoing gunboats to boost its anti smuggling capacity on waters.

The boats , christened 'Pride of Customs' and   'Group of Nine'  are expected to be deployed into deep-sea patrols ,surveillance, interdiction and reconnaissance on waters

Sources close to Customs told our reporter that Comptroller General Hameed Ali insisted that the boats be fitted with standard armaments to boost operatives fighting capacity in the event of attacks at sea and prevent smuggling and oil theft.

In collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, the NCS has stepped up capacity of its enforcement officers in the Western and Eastern Marine Commands to be able to operate the boats and the fitted weapons

The boats berthed at Naval Dockyard Victoria Island Lagos will be commissioned by the Controller General with the support of representatives of various service chiefs