By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for deeper collaboration among security and regulatory agencies to combat terrorism financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, and other transnational crimes threatening national and regional security.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the call while receiving participants of the Operational Level Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Regional Security Course 2 from the National Defence College during a study visit to the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on May 21, 2026.
Adeniyi said the growing complexity of financial and organised crimes requires stronger intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among agencies. He noted that Customs’ responsibilities now extend beyond revenue collection and border control to tackling crimes linked to trade manipulation, illicit financial flows, wildlife trafficking, and the illegal movement of strategic resources.
He described Nigeria’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as a major achievement that has improved the country’s international financial reputation and boosted investor confidence. According to him, the development also eased restrictions previously experienced by Nigerians during international financial transactions.
The Customs boss further disclosed that the Service is working closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and airline operators to strengthen automated currency declaration systems aimed at tracking illicit financial movements.
“For us to stay ahead of criminal networks, all agencies must continue to align their operations with broader national security goals,” Adeniyi stated.
Earlier, the Coordinator and Team Lead of the Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency/Countering the Financing of Terrorism Unit at the National Defence College, Dr. Adam Abdullahi, stressed that terrorism financing remains one of the biggest drivers of insecurity globally.
He called for sustained cooperation among the Department of State Services (DSS), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Armed Forces, Customs, and other security institutions to effectively disrupt terror financing networks.
Also speaking during the session, the officer in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Unit of the NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu, explained how criminal syndicates exploit international trade routes and supply chains to move illicit funds and prohibited items across borders.
Salihu reaffirmed the commitment of Customs to enforcing currency declaration regulations, intercepting contraband, and strengthening partnerships at both local and international levels to combat emerging security threats.
