Nigeria Customs calls for inter-agency fight against transnational crimes – THIS UPDATE

By Barth Ikiebe

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted the importance of greater collaboration, intelligence sharing and inter-agency synergy in tackling terrorist financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking and other forms of transnational organized crime.

The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a study tour of the Operational Level Course on Counter Terrorism Financing and Regional Security 2 (CFTRSC – OPL2) of the National Defense College, held at the Customs headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

He praised the growing capacity building within the Service, as well as the participation of officers from various formations across the country.

Adeniyi described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list as a significant milestone that has restored investor confidence and strengthened the country’s global financial position.

He explained that prior to Nigeria’s exit from the gray list, bank cards issued by Nigeria were subject to restrictions abroad, which affected international transactions and the nation’s image.

According to him, the role of customs has evolved beyond revenue generation and border enforcement, stressing that crimes such as undervaluation, overvaluation, wildlife trafficking, illicit movement of African resources and other trade violations now constitute serious financial crimes.

He also revealed ongoing collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and airline operators on automated currency declaration systems.

“In order to overcome these criminals, we must continue to work together and align our individual mandates with broader national security objectives,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Adam Abdullahi, Team Lead and Course Director Coordinator, Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency/Counter the Financing of Terrorism (CTCOIN/CFT) Unit at the National Defense College, noted that terrorist financing remains the lifeline of terrorism globally.

He emphasized the need for collaboration between the Department of State Services (DSS), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Armed Forces, Customs and other relevant agencies to ensure effective coordination.

“The lifeline of terrorism is financing, and tackling it cannot be done by one institution alone,” he noted.

In a presentation, the Officer in Charge of NCS’s Anti-Money Laundering/Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Unit, Assistant Controller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu, highlighted how criminal networks exploit global connectivity and supply chains to move illicit funds and goods across borders.

He highlighted the role of customs in enforcing currency declaration policies and intercepting prohibited items, including weapons and drugs, while calling for stronger local and international cooperation.

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