The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has restated its commitment to improving regional trade, protecting transit cargo, and strengthening cross-border security collaboration with neighbouring countries, especially the Republic of Niger.
This was revealed in a statement released on Friday after a high-level bilateral meeting between the NCS and the Niger Republic Customs Administration held at the Customs House in Maitama, Abuja.
The meeting was led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the Director-General of Niger Republic Customs, Muhammadu Yaqouba, with discussions centred on easing the movement of transit goods into Niger through Nigeria, boosting intelligence sharing, tackling border security concerns, and reducing delays along major trade corridors.
Adeniyi congratulated Yaqouba on his appointment and noted that both agencies have a long history of professional collaboration through the World Customs Organisation and other bilateral engagements.
He stressed that the relationship goes beyond shared geography, pointing out Nigeria’s international responsibility to support landlocked countries under global conventions.
He also acknowledged the difficulties landlocked countries face, explaining that depending on neighbouring ports often increases transaction costs and affects competitiveness.
Adeniyi assured that Nigeria would continue supporting Niger’s trade access, adding that the commitment would remain regardless of political differences because trade and regional stability are closely linked.
On delays affecting transit cargo, he disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the provision of safe corridors and guaranteed passage for trucks carrying transit goods awaiting clearance.
He said cargo transiting through Nigeria from ports and airports to neighbouring countries would continue to be processed and moved within 48 hours, without compromising security or national economic interests.
The Customs boss also warned against diversion of transit cargo, noting that strict measures are in place and defaulters would face stiff penalties.
He added that efforts are ongoing to streamline documentation and eliminate bottlenecks along key routes such as Illela–Sokoto–Kamba–Niger Republic, as well as other corridors linking Nigerian ports and airports to neighbouring countries.
Yaqouba, on his part, described the visit as a practical working engagement between two Customs administrations bound by shared responsibilities. He said the visit was prompted by concerns over delays affecting trucks transiting from Benin to Niger, as well as growing security threats in the region.
He noted that Niger has intensified its counter-terrorism operations since 2024 through Operation Saran Kasa, which involves all security agencies and has recorded notable achievements.
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He added that scanners have been deployed to inspect all goods entering Niger, stressing that Customs plays a key role in tackling terrorism, arms trafficking and other cross-border crimes.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Major-General Garba Laka, expressed condolences to Niger over a recent terrorist attack near Niamey Airport and reaffirmed Nigeria’s support.
He described Nigeria and Niger as deeply connected through history, culture and family ties, especially in border communities, and warned that insecurity in the Sahel affects the entire region.
He called for stronger coordination to combat arms trafficking, drug smuggling and the concealment of ammunition in cargo vehicles.
Laka also urged the revival of bilateral security frameworks, including cross-border right-of-pursuit arrangements, stressing that such cooperation is essential for defeating terrorism and organised crime.
