Nigeria, US Revive Customs Pact to Tackle Cross-border Crimes
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Nigeria, US Revive Customs Pact to Tackle Cross-border Crimes
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has met with his US counterpart, the Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection, Kevin McAleenan, in Washington DC, USA.
The meeting, which held on Thursday, July 18, 2024, was aimed at reviving the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) between Nigeria and the US, which had been dormant for over a decade.
Adeniyi, who led a delegation of top customs officials to the meeting, said the revival of the agreement was crucial in the fight against cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and money laundering.
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“We are committed to enhancing our capacity to protect Nigeria’s borders and improve service delivery,” Adeniyi said. “The revival of this agreement is a significant step forward in our efforts to combat cross-border crimes.”
Adeniyi emphasized the importance of global collaborations and data-driven decision-making in addressing cross-border crimes.
He highlighted the successful interception of illegal items at major ports and airports in Nigeria and stressed the need for increased capacity building to tackle Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement and opiate issues.
The US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, McAleenan, commended the Nigerian government for its commitment to fighting cross-border crimes.
“We are pleased to revive this agreement and work closely with the Nigerian Customs Service to address the challenges of cross-border crimes,” McAleenan said.
The meeting also discussed the importance of advanced technology in enhancing customs operations and security.
In a related development, Adeniyi visited the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, where he was received by the Charge d’Affaires, Mr. Rabiu Lawal, and his team.
Adeniyi commended the embassy staff for their warm reception and their tireless efforts in promoting the interests of Nigeria in the US.
The revival of the CMAA is expected to yield significant results in the fight against cross-border crimes and enhance the capacity of the Nigerian Customs Service to protect the nation’s borders.
