The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it had begun intensifying efforts to combat illicit financial flows and terrorism financing.

The commitment was demonstrated through a sensitisation programme it organised on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), held at its headquarters in Abuja.

A statement on the sensitisation programme was made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja by the NCS spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada.

Mr Maiwada said the programme was part of the service’s first-quarter operational review and a training session for AML/CFT Unit officers, aimed at building capacity, promoting ethical standards and enhancing inter-agency collaboration.

Speaking at the session, Muhammad Shuaibu, the Assistant Comptroller-General in charge of headquarters, said the initiative underscored the increasing importance of AML/CFT operations within the service and Nigeria’s wider financial and security framework.

He said the impact of the unit extended beyond seaports, airports and border stations, stating that its achievements over the past year had positioned it as a critical component in safeguarding the nation’s financial system.

Mr Shuaibu noted that there were improvements in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem, including Nigerian-issued bank cards, which were now globally functional and enabled seamless international transactions with automatic currency conversion.

“This is a major milestone. Nigerians can now travel and use their cards anywhere in the world, with transactions reflecting the local currency. This is a significant achievement for the nation,” he said.

He emphasised that deployment to the AML/CFT Unit should be seen as an opportunity for career advancement and capacity building, not as a punitive measure.

He said the service was maintaining collaboration with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) to ensure alignment with global best practices.

Also speaking, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Saulawa Sunusi, the Acting Provost Marshal, underscored the importance of integrity, professionalism and discipline in the discharge of duties.

“Officers must remain disciplined, professional, and committed to ethical conduct. Integrity remains the foundation of everything we do,” he said.

Mr Sunusi urged officers to continuously build their capacity and serve as role models by leading through example, while upholding high standards of punctuality, fairness and professionalism.

He emphasised the need for effective collaboration and conflict resolution within the service, noting that strong internal synergy was key to operational success.

On his part, the national coordinator of AML/CFT, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Mas’ud Salihu, said financial crimes were evolving, with illicit activities increasingly moving into digital and virtual spaces.

Mr Salihu said that efforts to curb the menace were centred on strengthening enforcement mechanisms, identifying operational gaps and enhancing communication between field officers and management.

He emphasised that sensitisation remained a key strategy in tackling financial crimes and urged officers to be proactive in identifying and blocking emerging threats.

He acknowledged the commitment of NCS management in repositioning the service and their continued support for strengthening the AML/CFT framework.

Participants were advised to remain vigilant, maintain high morale and carry out their duties without bias.

They were also cautioned against the unauthorised sharing of sensitive information and urged to adhere strictly to established communication protocols. 

(NAN)