From left: Director General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)Hajia Binta Adamu, Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and BoT member, MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka during a courtesy visit to Customs Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday.

In a move signaling deeper synergy among Nigeria’s frontline enforcement agencies, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have pledged to strengthen ties in combating human trafficking and the illegal trade in endangered species.

The renewed partnership was sealed on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, when the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, hosted a delegation from NAPTIP and the MMS WoFHoF Initiative at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.

The atmosphere at the meeting reflected mutual respect and shared purpose, as both institutions committed to intensifying joint operations that would reinforce national security and protect vulnerable populations and wildlife.

Addressing his guests, CGC Adeniyi expressed deep appreciation for their visit and commended NAPTIP’s relentless fight against human trafficking, describing the agency as a “critical partner” in Nigeria’s broader security network.
He noted that security challenges across Nigeria have become increasingly complex, requiring agencies to break silos and collaborate more closely in intelligence sharing, enforcement, and capacity building.

“The Customs Service doesn’t see crime only through the lens of smuggling anymore,” Adeniyi said. “We view it as part of a larger web of threats that undermine our nation’s peace, security, and future.”
The Customs boss reaffirmed that his administration is championing environmental sustainability, aligning with global efforts to protect endangered flora and fauna while tackling transnational crimes that often go unnoticed at border points.

He revealed that the Service will be fully involved in the forthcoming National Dialogue on Human Trafficking and Stowaway Incidents, scheduled for February 2026, describing it as a timely platform for inter-agency reflection and reform.

According to him, Customs will contribute technical expertise, intelligence data, and access to its training curriculum to deepen understanding of trafficking dynamics among enforcement agencies.

“We will accept your partnership request unconditionally,” Adeniyi declared. “Customs will work with NAPTIP on the February summit and explore broader interventions that strengthen our national security framework.”
On her part, the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu, was visibly delighted at the collaboration, calling it a “landmark step” in building a unified front against human trafficking.

Adamu noted that the menace of trafficking has continued to mutate, with new routes, actors, and digital tools making it harder to detect. She stressed that effective border surveillance and inter-agency coordination are vital to keeping traffickers at bay.

“I am truly happy to be here today,” she said. “Our work at NAPTIP rests on three pillars—prevent, prosecute, and protect. Customs’ involvement strengthens all three.”

She emphasized that the fight against trafficking cannot be won in isolation, adding that both agencies must continuously share intelligence and harmonize strategies, especially at ports and border crossings.

Earlier, a Board of Trustees member of MMS WoFHoF Initiative, Hajia Lami Tumaka, explained that the courtesy visit aimed to enlist Customs’ participation in an upcoming national dialogue on trafficking by sea and stowaway incidents.

Tumaka described the Customs Service as a “strategic border force” and “the first line of defence” against illegal movements of goods and persons, saying its nationwide presence makes it indispensable in tackling maritime-related crimes.

“Your officers are our gatekeepers,” she said passionately. “Their vigilance determines whether traffickers succeed or fail. That is why your presence at our national dialogue will be invaluable.”
As the meeting ended, there was a palpable sense of shared mission.

The handshake between Adeniyi and Adamu symbolized not just inter-agency cooperation but a renewed national resolve — to protect human dignity, safeguard biodiversity, and strengthen Nigeria’s security from its borders outward.