Nigerian Customs showcases three-pillar strategy to combat transnational crime at DSA 2026

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Comptroller -General of Nigeria Customs Service(NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has outlined a robust three-pillar strategy to tackle transnational crime aimed at showcasing the Service’s approach at the Defence Services Asia(DSS) Exhibition and Conference 2026 in Kuala Lumpur,

The strategy geared towards emphasising the urgent need for coordinated global responses to evolving cross-border threats.

Speaking as a special guest at a high-level security dialogue, Adeniyi said the strategy anchored on technology adoption, institutional collaboration, and capacity building reflects Nigeria’s commitment to staying ahead of increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, including those involved in narcotics trafficking, financial crimes, and terrorism financing, which now operate across multiple jurisdictions.

The dialogue which took place on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), brought together over 1,400 companies and key stakeholders across defence technology, electronic warfare, and homeland security, was declared open by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

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.

Adeniyi stated, “The nature of crime has evolved beyond borders, requiring enforcement agencies to move from isolated responses to coordinated global action. Collaboration is no longer optional; it is the foundation of effective security.”

The CG 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, 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.

Participants at the dialogue identified common challenges facing enforcement agencies, including limited workforce, outdated tools, and the rapid advancement of technology-enabled crime. There was a shared consensus that criminals are increasingly coordinated, necessitating stronger collaboration among governments, international organisations, and private security stakeholders.

To this end, stakeholders called for enhanced intelligence gathering, deeper engagement with communities, and sustained partnerships with global agencies such as INTERPOL. The emphasis, they noted, must be on building trust and ensuring seamless cross-border cooperation.

On the sidelines of the conference, the CGC held bilateral engagements with customs administrations from the Asia-Pacific and the Americas to deepen operational partnerships and knowledge exchange.

He reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with international security networks across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, noting that such partnerships are critical to securing borders, protecting national economic interests, and supporting the integrity of the global trading system.