Customs Pledges Full Support to NAPTIP in Fight Against Human Trafficking, Illegal Trade
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have pledged to deepen collaboration in tackling human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species, as both agencies move to strengthen inter-agency coordination ahead of a national policy dialogue slated for February 2026.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to partnership during a courtesy visit by a NAPTIP delegation to the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Adeniyi, who commended NAPTIP for its sustained efforts in combating human trafficking, emphasized that Nigeria’s complex security landscape demands joint action among law enforcement bodies.
"We believe in the power of collaboration. We can achieve more with less when we work together,” he said.
The Customs boss explained that the Service’s enforcement mandate now extends beyond anti-smuggling to broader issues of national and environmental security. He disclosed that Customs has intensified its operations around environmental sustainability and the enforcement of international conventions on flora and fauna protection.
Adeniyi assured NAPTIP of full collaboration in the upcoming national dialogue on human trafficking and stowaway incidents, promising technical assistance, intelligence sharing, and access to Customs’ training curriculum to enhance officers’ understanding of trafficking trends.
"We will accept your request for partnership unconditionally. We will work with your designated officials on the February summit and explore wider interventions that reinforce national security,” he added.
Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, expressed satisfaction with the renewed partnership, describing Customs as a vital ally in border management and enforcement.
"I am happy today that I finally made it here and held this discussion with the Comptroller-General. We are a law enforcement agency with mandates to prevent, prosecute and protect. Partnership with Customs is essential for our work,” she said.
Adamu highlighted the evolving nature of human trafficking, noting that closer cooperation among agencies operating at Nigeria’s entry and exit points is crucial to effective prevention and prosecution.
Also speaking, former Director of Public Relations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Lami Tumaka, said the visit aimed to seek Customs’ involvement in a one-day national policy dialogue on human trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.
Tumaka described Customs as a “strategic player in border management and maritime enforcement,” stressing that the agency’s participation would be vital to the success of the planned dialogue.
“Your officers are often the first line of defence against illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable,” she added.
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