Reflecting on Call for a Coordinated Smuggling War By Abdulsalam Mahmud
Nigeria, like many other nations, is home to numerous security and law enforcement agencies, each tasked with specific mandates to safeguard the country. These include the Nigerian Armed Forces—comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force—the Nigerian Police Force, and the Department of State Services (DSS). Other key institutions include the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), among others.
Despite this extensive security architecture, the country grapples with various criminal activities. From terrorism and kidnapping to armed robbery and economic sabotage, these agencies are stretched thin in their efforts to combat crime and protect citizens. The persistence of these security challenges underscores the need for a more coordinated and strategic approach to tackling crime, especially smuggling, which remains a significant threat to Nigeria’s economy.
Each security agency plays a vital role in Nigeria’s defense and internal security. The Nigerian Armed Forces protect the country’s territorial integrity, responding to external threats and insurgencies. The Nigerian Police Force operates at the grassroots level, maintaining law and order, preventing crimes, and investigating offenses. The DSS focuses on intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, and national security threats.
The NIS manages immigration and border control, preventing the illegal movement of people and goods. The NSCDC safeguards critical infrastructure, responds to environmental hazards, and provides civil defense support. Meanwhile, the NCS is responsible for enforcing trade regulations, overseeing imports and exports, and leading the fight against smuggling.
Despite the efforts of these agencies, smuggling remains a pervasive problem. Criminal networks continue to infiltrate Nigeria’s borders, flooding markets with substandard goods, evading tariffs, and undermining local industries. The economic consequences are severe—revenue losses for the government, unfair competition for legitimate businesses, and the proliferation of unsafe products in the market.
This highlights a critical gap in enforcement. While individual agencies are doing their part, their efforts alone are insufficient. Smuggling syndicates operate with increasing sophistication, exploiting loopholes and weaknesses in Nigeria’s security framework. To effectively combat this menace, a more integrated and collaborative approach is needed.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, has called for stronger collaboration among security agencies to tackle smuggling and its detrimental effects on the economy. Speaking at the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja last Thursday, during a lecture for participants of Course 33, Adeniyi emphasized the importance of synergy and mutual understanding among security agencies in combating illicit trade.
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“No single agency can effectively combat the complexities of smuggling without the support and cooperation of others,” Adeniyi stated. “Collaborating with other security agencies is essential for effective anti-smuggling operations. It is only through synergy that we can reduce these illegal activities to the barest minimum and foster economic growth in Nigeria.”
His remarks underscored the necessity of a unified front in addressing Nigeria’s security and economic challenges. The NDC, Nigeria’s premier institution for military and strategic studies, provides a platform for security professionals and policymakers to develop solutions to national security concerns. Adeniyi’s lecture reinforced the importance of inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests.
For Nigeria to overcome the persistent threats posed by smuggling and other forms of economic sabotage, the approach to security must evolve. As Adeniyi rightly pointed out, no single agency can tackle this problem alone. Smugglers exploit operational silos and jurisdictional barriers between agencies, making it imperative for security institutions to dismantle these obstacles.
To translate Adeniyi’s vision into action, security agencies must implement practical frameworks for collaboration. This includes:
Joint Task Forces: Establishing dedicated inter-agency units focused on anti-smuggling operations.
Enhanced Intelligence Sharing: Breaking down bureaucratic barriers to facilitate real-time information exchange.
Harmonized Operations: Conducting coordinated border patrols and enforcement actions to close smuggling routes.
Additionally, private sector involvement is crucial. Smuggling thrives when businesses and individuals circumvent regulatory systems for profit. A stronger partnership between the government and private sector players in vulnerable industries—such as trade, manufacturing, and transportation—can help tighten regulatory loopholes.
A culture of accountability must be fostered. Businesses that engage in illegal trade must face legal consequences, and security agencies must work together to dismantle smuggling networks. Public-private collaboration can play a vital role in identifying and disrupting illicit trade channels, ensuring that Nigeria’s economy is not further undermined.
The fight against smuggling cannot be won through fragmented efforts. Adeniyi’s call for inter-agency collaboration is a timely reminder that security agencies must work as a cohesive unit to tackle this challenge effectively. Smuggling not only weakens Nigeria’s economy but also poses a significant threat to national security.
By fostering strategic collaboration, breaking down jurisdictional silos, and engaging the private sector, Nigeria can make meaningful progress in curbing smuggling. The time for action is now—rhetoric must give way to tangible reforms that will strengthen enforcement and safeguard Nigeria’s economic future.
Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, can be reached via: [email protected]m.
