Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi has declared that continued capacity building is integral in staying ahead of criminal elements.
The Customs Boss made this assertion during his participation in the 19th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA 2026) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Adeniyi who was a Special Guest at the Police–Private Security Dialogue on Cross-Border Crime and Transnational Networks emphasised the urgent need for coordinated global responses to emerging security threats.
He highlighted the growing sophistication of transnational criminal networks, noting that activities such as narcotics trafficking, wildlife crime, financial fraud, and terrorism financing are increasingly interconnected.
According to him, enforcement strategies must reflect this reality through intelligence sharing and joint operations.
Drawing from the Nigeria Customs Service experience, the CGC outlined a three-pillar approach focused on technology adoption, institutional collaboration, and capacity building. He stressed that modern enforcement requires advanced tools and skilled personnel capable of responding to emerging crime typologies.
“We must invest in technology, strengthen partnerships, and continuously build the capacity of our officers to stay ahead of criminal networks that are constantly evolving,” he said.
Adeniyi also referenced the World Customs Organisation (WCO) frameworks, noting that these instruments provide critical guidance to member administrations in tackling cross-border crime. He added that criminal patterns originating from different regions have global implications, reinforcing the need for collective international action.
The session, convened under the Asia Pacific Security Association Malaysia International Security Summit (AMISST) 2026, brought together security leaders from 14 countries across Asia and the Pacific.
