The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to deepening collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to tackle human trafficking and the rising cases of stowaways across the nation’s borders.
Adeniyi gave the assurance when he hosted the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, and a Board Member of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka, at the Customs Service Headquarters in Abuja. The courtesy visit formed part of ongoing efforts under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NAPTIP and MMS WoFHoF aimed at strengthening synergy in the fight against trafficking in persons.
Speaking during the visit, the NAPTIP DG emphasized the need for seamless inter-agency collaboration to disrupt human trafficking networks.
“Human trafficking is an organized transnational crime that thrives on weak inter-agency coordination,”
“The Nigeria Customs Service, with its statutory mandate for border management and trade facilitation, remains a strategic partner in curbing cross-border trafficking of persons, smuggling of migrants, and other related crimes”, Bello noted
She called for enhanced intelligence sharing, joint capacity-building initiatives, robust sensitization campaigns for officers of both agencies, and strengthened inter-agency task forces. Bello also underscored the importance of community-level awareness across border regions to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable groups, particularly unaccompanied minors.
Also addressing the meeting, Hajia Lami Tumaka disclosed plans for a joint national conference and stakeholder dialogue focused on stowaways and human trafficking. She explained that the forum will help expand knowledge among stakeholders and scale up preventive measures.
Responding, Adeniyi praised the initiative and described strategic partnerships as crucial in tackling national and global security challenges.
“Partnership remains key in confronting any societal menace,” he said. “The Nigeria Customs Service is fully committed to supporting initiatives that will curb human trafficking and protect the dignity of every citizen.”
The CGC assured NAPTIP and its partners of the Service’s unwavering cooperation in intelligence operations, capacity development, and border-community engagement to stem trafficking activities.
With human trafficking remaining one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian and security threats, the renewed alliance between both agencies signals a strengthened united front to protect vulnerable persons and ensure safer borders.
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