The Nigeria Customs Service has intensified calls for stronger inter-agency cooperation to combat terrorism financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, and other transnational organised crimes threatening national and regional security.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the call during a study tour by participants of the Operational Level Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Regional Security Course at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja.
Adeniyi described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as a major breakthrough, saying the development has boosted investor confidence, improved the country’s global financial reputation, and eased international financial transactions for Nigerians.
He noted that Customs’ responsibilities now extend far beyond revenue collection and border control, with offences such as trade-based money laundering, under-valuation, over-valuation, wildlife trafficking, and the illicit movement of resources emerging as critical financial crimes.
The Customs boss disclosed that the Service is working closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and airline operators to deploy automated currency declaration systems aimed at strengthening financial surveillance and compliance.
Adeniyi stressed that defeating criminal networks requires seamless intelligence sharing and coordinated action among security and regulatory agencies, warning that criminals continue to exploit gaps between institutions.
Speaking earlier, the Course Director, Adam Abdullahi, described terrorism financing as the engine room of terrorism, urging agencies including the DSS, ONSA, Armed Forces, and Customs to deepen collaboration in tackling the threat.
Also speaking, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Mas’ud Salihu, warned that criminal syndicates are increasingly exploiting global trade routes and supply chains to move illicit funds, arms, drugs, and other contraband across borders.
The engagement underscored the growing role of Customs as a frontline security agency, with renewed focus on intelligence-led operations, financial crime detection, and joint enforcement efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s economy and national security.
