The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in tackling human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species.
Adeniyi gave the assurance on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when he received a delegation from NAPTIP and the MMS WoFHoF Initiative on a courtesy visit to the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Commending the delegation for their efforts in national service, the Customs chief pledged unwavering support for inter-agency cooperation aimed at strengthening national security. He emphasized that the fight against human trafficking and environmental crimes requires collective action beyond traditional smuggling control.
“We believe in the power of collaboration. We can achieve more with less when we work together,” Adeniyi stated.
He disclosed that the Service has intensified its drive toward environmental sustainability and enforcement of international conventions on flora and fauna protection. The CGC also confirmed Customs’ readiness to actively participate in the forthcoming National Dialogue on Human Trafficking and Stowaway Incidents slated for February 2026.
According to him, Customs will contribute through technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and inclusion of anti-trafficking modules in its training curriculum to enhance inter-agency understanding.
“We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally. We will work closely with your officials on the February summit and explore wider interventions that reinforce national security,” he added.
In her remarks, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, expressed delight at securing a formal partnership with the NCS, noting that Customs’ involvement is crucial to NAPTIP’s preventive, prosecutorial, and protective mandates.
“We are a law enforcement agency mandated to prevent, prosecute, and protect. Partnership with Customs is essential for our work,” she said, emphasizing the growing sophistication of trafficking networks across Nigeria’s borders.
Earlier, a member of the Board of Trustees of the MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka, highlighted the purpose of the visit — to solicit Customs’ partnership for a one-day national policy dialogue on human trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.
Describing Customs as a “strategic player in border management and maritime enforcement,” Tumaka noted that its nationwide presence and operational expertise are vital to curbing transnational crimes.
“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable,” she affirmed.
The renewed partnership between the NCS and NAPTIP is expected to bolster Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking, wildlife crimes, and other cross-border threats through coordinated intelligence and enforcement actions.
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