By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has stressed the need for stronger inter-agency collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated security operations in tackling terrorism financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, and other transnational organised crimes across the country.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, stated this on May 21, 2026, during a study tour by participants of the Operational Level Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Regional Security Course 2 (CFTRSC-OPL2) from the National Defence College at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi commended the increasing level of capacity development within the Service and lauded the participation of officers drawn from various Customs formations nationwide.
He described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as a major achievement that restored investor confidence and improved the country’s standing in the global financial system.
According to him, prior to Nigeria’s exit from the grey list, bank cards issued in the country faced restrictions abroad, negatively affecting international transactions and damaging the nation’s image.
The Customs boss noted that the role of the Service has expanded beyond revenue generation and border enforcement, explaining that offences such as undervaluation, overvaluation, wildlife trafficking, illicit movement of African resources, and other trade-related violations now constitute serious financial crimes.
He further disclosed that the Service is collaborating with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and airline operators on the deployment of automated currency declaration systems aimed at strengthening financial monitoring and border security.
He said security agencies must continue to align their individual mandates with broader national security objectives in order to stay ahead of criminal networks operating across borders.
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, said terrorism financing remains the major driving force behind terrorist activities globally.
He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the Department of State Services, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, Customs, and other relevant agencies to ensure effective coordination in combating terrorism financing.
Also speaking during the session, the officer in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing Unit of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu, explained how criminal networks exploit global connectivity and supply chains to move illicit funds and prohibited goods across international borders.
He highlighted the role of Customs in enforcing currency declaration policies and intercepting prohibited items, including arms and drugs, while calling for stronger local and international cooperation in combating transnational crimes.
