The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) don join hand test one locally made airboat wey dem build to help fight smuggling for Nigeria waterways. Di test run happen for Jabi Lake, Abuja, and experts wey dey ground talk say di boat fit waka for shallow and hard-to-reach areas wey smugglers dey use hide.

Comptroller Haniel Haddison, wey dey in charge of Special Duties for Customs Headquarters, hail di innovation as big step for Nigeria. He talk say di airboat go boost Customs capacity to catch smugglers and protect borders. He also praise di Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, for supporting local technology and pushing for collaboration with other agencies.

Di Director of Maritime Research and Development for DRDB, Rear Admiral Suleiman El-Ladan, talk say di partnership between Customs and Defence Bureau na example of how government agencies fit work together to solve security problems. He say di airboat na proof say Nigeria fit build equipment wey go fit di country’s terrain and security needs.

Di airboat wey dem test get special design wey make am fit move for swampy and narrow waterways wey normal patrol boats no fit enter. This go give Customs advantage to intercept illegal goods and monitor smuggling routes wey dey difficult to reach. Di agencies talk say dem go continue to improve di boat and train officers to use am well.

As di test end, DRDB present souvenir to senior Customs officers to appreciate their support and commitment. Di success of di airboat project show say Nigeria dey move towards using homegrown solutions to tackle big security challenges. If deployed well, this airboat fit change how Customs dey fight smuggling across di country.