Customs, Six Agencies Strengthen Collaboration Against Financial Crimes
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has engaged six federal government agencies to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in tackling cross-border illicit financial flows, money laundering, corruption, drug trafficking, terrorism financing and other related offences.
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The three-day engagement, held from October 27 to 29, 2026, was led by the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of Headquarters, Muhammad Shuaibu.
It focused on strengthening strategic cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations among the agencies to combat financial crimes and other illicit activities threatening Nigeria’s economy and national security.
The agencies involved were the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Speaking during the engagements, Shuaibu said the initiative was designed to enhance inter-agency coordination and improve the detection and disruption of cross-border illicit financial flows.
He explained that the exercise included field visits to selected border stations to assess existing Customs control measures and engage relevant agencies on practical strategies for tackling financial crimes.
The Chief Executive Officer of the NFIU, represented by the Chief Operating Officer of the Intelligence Security Service Sector, Muhammed-Mustapha, commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its efforts in combating smuggling and strengthening border security.
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Mustapha also highlighted the longstanding partnership between the two institutions, noting that the NCS was the first agency to collaborate with the NFIU following its establishment.
He said the Customs Service possessed valuable global experience in border management and the fight against illicit activities.
Meanwhile, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Mentoring Team, led by Shahiduzzaman Sarkar, engaged the participating agencies on strategies for strengthening Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) measures.
The team also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration with the NCS to ensure the success of the initiative.
Participants identified communication gaps, bureaucratic bottlenecks and concerns over database privacy as some of the challenges hindering effective inter-agency collaboration.
The discussions explored possible solutions to these challenges, with emphasis on improving information sharing, strengthening institutional relationships and enhancing coordinated responses to financial and security threats.
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The engagements also featured the presentation of NCS awards and WCO certificates to the participating agencies in recognition of their contributions and commitment to strengthening cooperation against illicit activities.
The initiative highlights the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to building stronger partnerships with relevant institutions to safeguard the nation’s economy, secure its borders and combat financial crimes and terrorism financing.