The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for stronger inter-agency partnerships and intelligence sharing to tackle terrorism financing, money laundering, wildlife trafficking, and other forms of transnational organised crime.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made the call 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, held at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
CGC Adeniyi commended the growing capacity development within the Service, as well as the participation of officers drawn from various formations across the country.
He described Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as a significant milestone that restored investor confidence and strengthened the country’s global financial standing.
Adeniyi explained that, before Nigeria’s exit from the grey list, Nigerian-issued bank cards faced restrictions abroad, affecting international transactions and the nation’s image.
He disclosed that the role of Customs has evolved beyond revenue generation and border enforcement, noting that offences such as undervaluation, overvaluation, wildlife trafficking, illicit movement of African resources, and other trade-based violations now constitute major financial crimes.
The Customs boss further announced ongoing collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and airline operators on 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,” he added.
Earlier, the Team Lead and Course Director Coordinator, Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CTCOIN/CFT) Unit at the National Defence College, Dr. Adam Abdullahi, stated that terrorism financing remains the lifeline of terrorism globally.
Abdullahi stressed the need for collaboration among the Department of State Services (DSS), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Armed Forces, Customs, and other relevant agencies to ensure effective coordination.
“The lifeline of terrorism is financing, and tackling it cannot be done by one institution alone,” he declared.
In a presentation, the officer in charge of the Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Unit of NCS, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu, highlighted how criminal networks exploit global connectivity and supply chains to move funds and illicit goods across borders.
Salihu emphasised 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.
