The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS has stressed the need for stronger collaboration, intelligence sharing, and inter-agency coordination in tackling terrorism financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, and other forms of transnational organised crimes.
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 organised by the National Defence College at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi commended ongoing capacity development initiatives within the Service and praised the participation of officers drawn from various formations across the country.
He described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as a major achievement that has strengthened investor confidence and improved the country’s international financial reputation.
According to him, Nigerian-issued bank cards previously faced restrictions abroad before the country exited the grey list, affecting international transactions and the nation’s image globally.
The Customs boss noted that the role of the Service has evolved beyond revenue generation and border control, adding that offences such as undervaluation, overvaluation, wildlife trafficking, and the illicit movement of African resources now constitute serious financial crimes.
He further disclosed that the NCS is collaborating with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, and airline operators to deploy automated currency declaration systems.
“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 said.
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 backbone of terrorist activities globally.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration among agencies including the Department of State Services, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, Customs, and other relevant institutions to ensure effective coordination against security threats.
“The lifeline of terrorism is financing, and tackling it cannot be done by one institution alone,” he stated.
Also speaking during the programme, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu, who heads the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Unit of the Service, highlighted how criminal networks exploit global supply chains and international connectivity to move illicit funds and goods across borders.
He stressed the role of Customs in enforcing currency declaration regulations and intercepting prohibited items, including arms and narcotics, while calling for stronger local and international cooperation in combating organised crime.
