The Nigeria Customs Service has reiterated the need for stronger collaboration among security institutions and financial regulatory agencies to combat terrorism financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, and other cross-border crimes.
Speaking during a study tour at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said modern security threats require coordinated intelligence gathering and unified operational strategies among relevant institutions.
The engagement featured participants of the Operational Level Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Regional Security Course 2 from the National Defence College. Adeniyi explained that criminal activities linked to international trade have become increasingly sophisticated, stressing that Customs operations now go beyond revenue collection and border monitoring.
He identified trade manipulation, illegal wildlife trafficking, and illicit export of African resources as growing financial crimes capable of undermining national security and economic stability.
According to him, Nigeria’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list has strengthened international confidence in the country’s financial system and improved its standing within the global financial community.
He noted that prior to the development, Nigerians experienced restrictions in the use of locally issued bank cards abroad, a situation that negatively affected cross-border transactions and the nation’s image.
The Customs boss further 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 improving transparency and compliance.
He maintained that no single institution can effectively address organised transnational crimes without sustained cooperation and information sharing.
“For us to get ahead of these criminals, we must continue to work together and subject our individual mandates to broader national security objectives,” Adeniyi stated.
Earlier, the Team Lead and Course Director Coordinator of the Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit at the National Defence College, Adam Abdullahi, described terrorism financing as a critical driver of insecurity globally.
He called for stronger coordination among the Department of State Services, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, Customs, and other agencies involved in national security operations.
“The lifeline of terrorism is financing, and tackling it cannot be done by one institution alone,” Abdullahi said.
Also speaking, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu said criminal networks increasingly exploit global supply chains and international connectivity to move illicit funds and prohibited goods across borders.
Salihu stated that the Service remains committed to enforcing currency declaration regulations and intercepting illegal items such as arms and narcotics, while advocating stronger domestic and international partnerships in tackling financial crimes.
