From Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, DC Haliru Abdullahi, has paid a courtesy visit to the Sokoto Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to strengthen inter-agency cooperation and promote the fight against economic sabotage and financial crimes.
Abdullahi said the visit was in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, which is anchored on Collaboration, Consolidation and Innovation.
He emphasised the importance of a strong working relationship between the two agencies, noting that economic sabotage, money laundering, illicit financial transactions, smuggling and other related offences pose serious threats to national security and sustainable economic development.
The Customs Area Controller stressed that effective collaboration was essential to addressing these challenges and protecting the nation’s economic interests.
He also reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to supporting the EFCC through intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordinated enforcement operations. According to him, closer collaboration would enhance the detection and prevention of financial crimes associated with cross-border trade and other illegal economic activities.
In his response, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC Sokoto Zonal Directorate, Mr Nwanneka Nwonkike, appreciated the Customs Area Controller for the visit and commended the NCS for its contributions to protecting the national economy.
In a statement issued by Bashir Tanimu, Assistant Superintendent of Customs I and Public Relations Officer, Nwonkike emphasised the need for a sustained partnership, particularly in intelligence gathering, investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes.
Both agencies acknowledged that economic saboteurs exploit operational gaps and weaknesses in institutional cooperation to perpetrate illegal activities.
They therefore underscored the need to strengthen communication channels, promote joint capacity building and develop coordinated strategies to identify, investigate and dismantle criminal networks.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for both institutions to reaffirm their commitment to professionalism, transparency, accountability and the promotion of national economic stability.
They expressed readiness to deepen their existing relationship in line with their respective statutory responsibilities.
The NCS Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command reaffirmed its determination to sustain strategic partnerships with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat economic sabotage, protect government revenue, strengthen national security and promote sustainable economic development.