The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have pledged to strengthen collaboration in tackling the growing menace of illicit trade and illegal financial flows across border routes linking states in northern Nigeria.
This initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at protecting the nation’s economic interests and enhancing overall security.
Sa’ad Hanafi, Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC’s Kano Office, made the commitment on Tuesday during a one-day sensitisation workshop organised for members of the Kano business community. He noted that collaboration between the two agencies is essential, given their crucial roles as regulatory institutions.
He said that in renewing the existing inter-agency collaboration, the two federal agencies are also seeking the support of relevant stakeholders in the export and import sector to combat money laundering through trade.
Hanafi pointed out payment of tax as one of the critical legal obligations of stakeholders in the trade, investment, and commercial sectors, but reminded participants that EFCC and its sister agency are shining a spotlight on illicit financial and trade flows to safeguard the nation’s economic integrity.
He added that the workshop was designed to sensitise stakeholders on their role in maintaining legal compliance and to create awareness of the scourge of prevailing illicit financial flows and trade malpractices in the country.
According to him, the two agencies are also working in collaboration with the Kano Chamber of Commerce to advocate strict compliance with legal requirements and foster a conducive trade and investment environment.
“We are here to protect the integrity of our financial system, safeguard our economy from the scourge of illicit financial flows and trade malpractices, and ensure that every citizen and corporate entity fulfils their legal obligations, including tax payments.
“Tax evasion, submission of false declarations, and other financial malpractices are not just illegal; they are a disservice to our nation, depriving it of the resources needed for critical infrastructure and social services.
“The EFCC, in collaboration with sister agencies, is increasingly deploying intelligence and technology to track and disrupt these sophisticated schemes”, he explained.
In his remarks, Patrick Umoh, Zonal Coordinator of Zone B Headquarters of the NCS, reaffirmed his command’s commitment to eradicating unethical practices in trade operations within the zone.
He highlighted the three-point agenda of Bashir Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, which focuses on maintaining a secure, efficient, and transparent environment for national progress, and assured that the Service remains dedicated to deploying all necessary measures to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
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The Zonal Coordinator reiterated the Customs Service’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders and the business community through intelligence sharing aimed at curbing illicit practices in trade and commercial activities.
Meanwhile, Usman Darma, president of the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Investment, Manufacture, and Agriculture (KACCIMA), said the role of the chamber is to promote and protect the interests of members and ensure compliance with regulations and government policies.
Darma pledged to collaborate with government agencies to promote an equitable business environment and an investment-friendly atmosphere in Kano.
