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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) are deepening collaboration to combat human trafficking, stowaway cases, and the illegal trade in endangered species.
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, gave this assurance when a delegation from NAPTIP and the MMS WoFHoF Initiative paid him a courtesy visit at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday.
Adeniyi, who commended the delegation for their service to the nation, pledged the Service’s full commitment to inter-agency synergy in addressing transnational crimes.
“We believe in the power of collaboration. We can achieve more with less when we work together,” the Customs boss said.
The CGC noted that Customs’ mandate extends beyond revenue generation and anti-smuggling to broader national security objectives.
He emphasized that tackling human trafficking and wildlife crimes requires shared intelligence, joint enforcement, and aligned policy interventions.
Adeniyi disclosed that the Service is intensifying efforts on environmental sustainability and the enforcement of international conventions protecting endangered flora and fauna.
He also confirmed that Customs will actively support the National Dialogue on Human Trafficking and Stowaway Incidents, slated for February 2026.
“We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally. Our officers will provide technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and integrate anti-trafficking modules into our training programmes to deepen understanding across agencies,” Adeniyi said.
On her part, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Adamu, expressed optimism about the partnership, describing Customs as a critical partner in curbing trafficking at Nigeria’s borders and ports.
“We are a law enforcement agency mandated to prevent, prosecute, and protect. Partnership with Customs is essential to our mission,” she said.
The NAPTIP boss noted that trafficking networks continue to evolve in complexity, demanding closer operational coordination among border and maritime enforcement agencies.
Earlier, Hajia Lami Tumaka, a Board of Trustees member of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, said the visit aimed to secure Customs’ involvement in the upcoming national dialogue on human trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.
“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your nationwide presence and expertise make your participation indispensable,” Tumaka said.
The dialogue, jointly convened by NAPTIP and MMS WoFHoF Initiative, is expected to bring together maritime, aviation, and border management agencies to strengthen Nigeria’s response to human trafficking and improve maritime safety.
