The Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have pledged to strengthen their collaboration to combat smuggling, money laundering and other economic and financial crimes.
The two agencies said closer cooperation through intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordinated enforcement operations would help tackle economic sabotage, protect government revenue and strengthen national security.
The commitment was made on Wednesday when the Customs Area Controller, DC Haliru Abdullahi, paid a courtesy visit to the EFCC Sokoto Zonal Directorate.
A statement issued on Thursday by the Customs Command’s Public Relations Officer, Bashir Tanimu, said the visit was aimed at strengthening inter-agency cooperation and promoting the fight against economic and financial crimes.
Abdullahi stressed the importance of a strong working relationship between the two agencies, noting that economic sabotage, money laundering, illicit financial transactions and smuggling posed serious threats to national security and sustainable economic development.
He said, “Effective collaboration remains essential in addressing these challenges and protecting the nation’s economic interests.”
The Customs boss reaffirmed the command’s readiness to support the EFCC through intelligence sharing, information exchange and coordinated enforcement operations.
According to him, closer cooperation would improve the detection and prevention of financial crimes linked to cross-border trade and other illegal economic activities.
Responding, the Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Sokoto, Nwanneka Nwonkike, appreciated the Customs Area Controller for the visit and commended the service for its contributions to protecting the nation’s economy.
Nwonkike emphasised the need for a sustained partnership, particularly in intelligence gathering, investigation and prosecution of economic and financial crimes.
Both agencies observed that economic saboteurs often exploit operational gaps and weaknesses in institutional cooperation to carry out illegal activities.
They consequently called for stronger communication channels, joint capacity building and coordinated strategies to identify, investigate and dismantle criminal networks.
The agencies also reaffirmed their commitment to professionalism, transparency and accountability, while expressing readiness to deepen their partnership in line with their respective statutory responsibilities.
The Customs Service said the Sokoto/Zamfara Area Command would continue to sustain strategic partnerships with relevant security and regulatory agencies to combat economic sabotage, protect government revenue and promote national economic development.
Source: