NCS acquires advanced Cessna aircraft to strengthen border surveillance
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has taken a substantial step towards bolstering its air surveillance and border security capabilities with the acquisition of a Cessna Grand Caravan EX-208B. This move marks a major advancement for the NCS airwing operations, as the aircraft, inspected by Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi on 20 September 2024, in Bartlesville, USA, is expected to enhance the Service’s patrol efforts across Nigeria’s borders.
Registered as 5N-BAA, the Cessna Grand Caravan is renowned for its short-field take-off and landing capabilities and is powered by the robust PT6 Pratt and Whitney engine. This aircraft is globally recognised for its rugged durability and versatility, making it well-suited for Nigeria’s remote and often challenging border environments. CGC Adeniyi highlighted the aircraft’s importance to the Service, underscoring that it is fitted with the modern Garmin G1000 Avionics cockpit system, which facilitates operations in both day and night conditions, as well as in low visibility.
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“This aircraft will be a game-changer for the Nigeria Customs Service’s Airwing. Its ability to carry 10 officers, combined with its six-hour aerial endurance, will greatly expand our capacity for air surveillance and border patrol,” CGC Adeniyi said.
The Cessna Grand Caravan is intended to play a pivotal role in NCS’s air patrol operations, helping to detect smuggling routes, transport armed personnel swiftly, and provide urgent support for ground operations. “With this aircraft, we are strengthening our air border patrol capabilities, which will help us intercept illegal activities more effectively and provide rapid extraction support when necessary,” CGC Adeniyi added, aligning the acquisition with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Additionally, the Cessna Grand Caravan will serve as an asset for Nigeria Customs Technica
l and Hangar Services Ltd, not only by enhancing operational effectiveness but also by supporting revenue generation for the NCS. CGC Adeniyi pointed out that the Cessna’s operational costs are comparatively lower than other aircraft in its class, making it a sustainable investment for the long-term. “This aircraft contributes to the sustainability of our air surveillance programs, which are essential to our operations,” he explained.
Capt. Kuhi Mbaya, the Aircraft Operations Coordinator and Managing Director of Nigeria Customs Technical and Hangar Services Ltd, expressed optimism about the acquisition, calling it a milestone for the NCS aviation unit. “With this aircraft, the Nigeria Customs Service is now poised to revitalise its air border patrol activities, securing our borders more effectively while increasing revenue generation for the Service and the nation,” Capt. Mbaya remarked.
The new Cessna Grand Caravan is expected to provide substantial tactical advantages, reinforcing Nigeria’s border security and sending a strong signal to smugglers and economic saboteurs that the NCS is better equipped than ever to safeguard the nation’s borders.
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