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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have strengthened their operational partnership to combat human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species, reaffirming their shared commitment to national and border security.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made the pledge on Tuesday, when he received the NAPTIP delegation at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Adeniyi commended NAPTIP’s efforts in safeguarding human dignity and tackling organized crime, assuring the agency of Customs’ full cooperation. He emphasized that Nigeria’s security challenges demand a united front among law enforcement bodies.
“We believe in the power of collaboration. We can achieve more with less when we work together,” the Customs boss stated.
He explained that Customs’ enforcement responsibilities extend beyond anti-smuggling operations to protecting the environment and upholding international conventions on flora and fauna. Adeniyi disclosed that the Service is intensifying its work on environmental sustainability and wildlife protection, noting that illegal trade in endangered species has global security and economic implications.
The CGC pledged full support for the National Dialogue on Human Trafficking and Stowaway Incidents scheduled for February 2026, promising Customs’ participation through technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and training collaboration.
“We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally,” Adeniyi affirmed. “We will work with your designated officials on the February summit and explore wider interventions that reinforce national security.”
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In her remarks, NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu, expressed delight over the renewed engagement, saying the collaboration marks a strategic milestone in Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking.
“I am happy today that I finally made it here and held this discussion with the Comptroller-General,” she said. “We are a law enforcement agency with mandates to prevent, prosecute and protect. Partnership with Customs is essential for our work.”
Adamu stressed that trafficking networks are becoming more complex, often exploiting Nigeria’s land, air, and sea borders. Hence, she said, collaboration with Customs is crucial to intercepting criminal movements and improving intelligence coordination.
Also speaking, former NIMASA Director of Public Relations, Lami Tumaka, who accompanied the NAPTIP team, said the visit sought Customs’ partnership for the upcoming policy dialogue on trafficking and stowaway cases.
“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable,” Tumaka noted.
The meeting ended with both agencies agreeing to deepen cooperation in intelligence exchange, capacity building, and joint operations aimed at curbing human trafficking and wildlife crimes across Nigeria’s borders.
