Customs, NAPTIP Forge Stronger Alliance to Tackle Human Trafficking, Protect Endangered Species
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have pledged to deepen their collaboration in combating human trafficking and the illicit trade in endangered species, in a renewed inter-agency effort to safeguard national security and environmental integrity.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, made this commitment on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, when he received a delegation from NAPTIP at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Welcoming the visiting team, CGC Adeniyi commended NAPTIP’s leadership for their dedication to national service and reaffirmed the Service’s determination to work closely with the agency.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s evolving security landscape demands a united front among enforcement institutions.
“We believe in the power of collaboration. We can achieve more with less when we work together,” Adeniyi said, stressing that Customs’ role extends beyond anti-smuggling operations to addressing broader national security concerns.
The Customs chief noted that the Service has intensified its enforcement of environmental laws and international conventions on the protection of flora and fauna.
He also disclosed that Customs will actively participate in the forthcoming national dialogue on human trafficking and stowaway incidents, slated for February 2026.
Adeniyi assured the NAPTIP delegation of Customs’ full support for the summit, pledging technical expertise, intelligence sharing, and inclusion of NAPTIP officers in its training curriculum to enhance inter-agency understanding of trafficking networks.
“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.
In her remarks, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, expressed her appreciation for the warm reception and described the engagement as a “milestone in operational collaboration” between the two agencies.
“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 noted that human trafficking remains a complex and evolving crime that requires effective coordination among agencies stationed at Nigeria’s borders, airports, and seaports.
Earlier, former Director of Public Relations at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs Lami Tumaka, who accompanied the NAPTIP delegation, highlighted the importance of Customs’ involvement in the upcoming policy dialogue.
Tumaka described the Service as a “strategic player in border management and maritime enforcement,” stressing that its presence and expertise are crucial to the success of efforts against trafficking and illegal migration by sea.
“Your officers are often the first line of defence against the illicit movement of goods and persons. Your expertise and nationwide presence are indispensable,” she said.
The visit, which underscores a growing synergy among Nigeria’s law enforcement and border management institutions, is expected to pave the way for stronger joint operations, improved intelligence exchange, and enhanced policy frameworks to combat transnational crimes and protect endangered wildlife.
