Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reinforced its commitment to international security cooperation as the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, participated in the 19th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA 2026) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The high-level event, held on April 21, 2026, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), brought together over 1,400 companies and key stakeholders in defence technology, electronic warfare, and homeland security. It was officially declared open by Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking as a Special Guest at the Police–Private Security Dialogue on Cross-Border Crime and Transnational Networks, Adeniyi called for a shift from isolated enforcement approaches to coordinated global action in tackling emerging security threats.
“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,” he said.
The session, held under the Asia Pacific Security Association Malaysia International Security Summit (AMISST) 2026, convened security leaders from 14 countries across Asia and the Pacific.
Adeniyi highlighted the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal networks, noting that crimes such as drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, financial fraud, and terrorism financing are becoming more interconnected, requiring intelligence-driven and collaborative responses.
Drawing from the NCS experience, he outlined a three-pronged strategy anchored on technology adoption, institutional collaboration, and capacity building. He stressed the need for modern enforcement tools and well-trained personnel to effectively counter evolving criminal tactics.
He also referenced frameworks developed by the World Customs Organization as key instruments guiding member countries in combating cross-border crime.
Participants at the dialogue identified shared challenges, including manpower shortages, outdated enforcement tools, and the rapid evolution of technology-enabled crimes. There was broad consensus on the need for stronger partnerships among governments, international organisations, and private security operators.
Stakeholders further called for enhanced intelligence sharing and deeper collaboration with global agencies such as INTERPOL to effectively counter transnational threats.
On the sidelines of the conference, Adeniyi held bilateral meetings with customs administrations from the Asia-Pacific and the Americas to strengthen operational partnerships and promote knowledge exchange.
He reaffirmed the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to expanding international cooperation across regions, noting that such alliances are critical to securing borders, protecting national economic interests, and maintaining the integrity of global trade systems.
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