EFCC, Customs strengthen collaboration in North-East

By Fredrick Ameh

The Nigeria Customs Service, Borno/Yobe Area Command, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have reaffirmed their commitment to closer collaboration to combat economic crimes and strengthen border security in Nigeria’s North-East.

The development followed a familiarisation visit by the Customs Area Controller, Idris Abdullahi, to the EFCC Zonal Director in Maiduguri, Aisha Habib.

Customs said the engagement focused on enhancing intelligence sharing, joint operations, and capacity building between both agencies.

Speaking during the visit, Abdullahi said collaboration among enforcement agencies is critical to tackling crimes such as smuggling and money laundering, which often overlap institutional mandates.

“No single agency can effectively tackle economic sabotage and insecurity alone,” he said, adding that Customs operations often uncover financial trails, while EFCC investigations expose cross-border criminal networks.

He commended the EFCC for its efforts in addressing financial crimes and said stronger cooperation would improve operational outcomes.

In her response, Habib described the visit as timely and strategic, noting that inter-agency collaboration is essential in addressing evolving security threats in the region.

She said the EFCC is ready to support joint enforcement efforts and deepen intelligence exchange to dismantle criminal networks operating within and beyond the North-East.

Both agencies agreed to establish a direct liaison framework to enable faster communication and coordinated responses on issues, including trade-based money laundering and wildlife trafficking.

The visit concluded with a tour of EFCC facilities and an exchange of souvenirs, signalling renewed commitment to partnership.

The North-East remains a strategic region for border security operations, with enforcement agencies increasingly adopting collaborative approaches to address transnational crime and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.