PATTERNS AND FORMS OF ACTIVITIES OF NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE IN BORDER SECURITY IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

The problem of porous borders and its effects on the activities of NCS have continued to impact on the level of border security in Rivers State. Purpose of this study is to examine the forms and patterns of activities of Nigeria Customs Service in enhancing border security in Nigeria. The target population, in this study is 2,620, while the sample size was 400 which was gotten through the use of Rakesh sample size formula. The target population covered  staff in Port Harcourt 1 Area Command of Nigeria’s Customs Service, Rivers State;  Port Harcourt II Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Onne, Department of Border Management in Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Onne; National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Rivers State Command; and Department of Operations in Nigeria Police Force, Onne, who are designed to respond to questions and statements in the questionnaire and interview guide relating to the role of NCS in border security in Rivers State. The target population also covered registered agents at Onne, and dock workers in Port Harcourt II Command. Data were collected from 5-Point Likert Questionnaire, in-depth interview and secondary sources. Data collected from 5-Point Likert questionnaire were analysed using simple percentages and absolute frequencies. While data from in-depth interview were presented textually, manually-transcribed and analysed using narrative-analytical method. Data from secondary sources were analysed using relational-content analysis. Finding showed, among other things, that the patterns as well as forms of activities of Nigeria Customs Service have significantly increased border security operations in Rivers State. Among other things, increased use of intelligence gathering and technology in tracking and deterring transborder actors that erode border security in the State is recommended.