Nigeria Customs Bolsters Air Surveillance with Acquisition of Cessna Grand Caravan

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reinforced its air surveillance capabilities with the recent acquisition of a state-of-the-art Cessna Grand Caravan EX-208B. 

This development marks a significant leap forward for the NCS, as the aircraft will play a pivotal role in enhancing border security and air patrol operations across Nigeria.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, personally inspected the newly acquired aircraft on 20 September 2024, in Bartlesville, Washington, USA. 

Speaking on the occasion, CGC Adeniyi hailed the acquisition as a key component in the ongoing revitalisation of the NCS airwing, highlighting its critical role in combating smuggling and illegal cross-border activities.

Registered under 5N-BAA, the Cessna Grand Caravan is renowned for its robust versatility and is powered by a reliable PT6 Pratt and Whitney engine. 

Its ability to take off and land on short, remote airstrips makes it an ideal tool for air patrol missions across Nigeria’s diverse terrains. 

Additionally, the aircraft is equipped with the modern Garmin G1000 Avionics system, which allows for seamless operation under various visibility conditions, whether day or night.

“The Cessna Grand Caravan will be a game-changer for Nigeria Customs Service’s air operations,” CGC Adeniyi remarked. 

“Its capacity to carry up to 10 officers and its six-hour aerial endurance significantly enhance our ability to monitor and patrol the borders effectively.” 

He added that the aircraft’s strategic features would bolster efforts to detect smuggling routes, deploy armed personnel, and support ground operations swiftly when needed.

Aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, this acquisition is expected to transform Nigeria’s border surveillance efforts. 

According to CGC Adeniyi, the aircraft will not only enhance the NCS’s ability to intercept illegal activities but also provide vital extraction support during operations. 

“This aircraft will strengthen our air border patrol capabilities, intercepting economic saboteurs and ensuring swift responses where necessary,” CGC Adeniyi explained.

Beyond its role in surveillance, the Cessna Grand Caravan will serve as a strategic asset for Nigeria Customs Technical and Hangar Services Ltd, providing logistical support and generating additional revenue for the Service. 

CGC Adeniyi praised the aircraft’s cost-efficiency, noting that its operational costs are considerably lower than others in its class, ensuring sustainability in the long term.

Capt. Kuhi Mbaya, Aircraft Operations Coordinator and Managing Director of Nigeria Customs Technical and Hangar Services Ltd, lauded the acquisition, describing it as a milestone for the NCS’s aviation unit. 

“With this aircraft, the Nigeria Customs Service is well-positioned to revitalise its air border patrol activities, securing our borders more effectively while improving revenue generation for the Service and the nation,” Capt. Mbaya stated.

The Cessna Grand Caravan’s acquisition underscores Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to tightening border security and combatting smuggling activities. 

This move signals a new era of air surveillance and patrol, ensuring that the NCS remains a formidable force in safeguarding the nation’s borders.