The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, has commended its growing collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), saying the partnership has led to improved operational outcomes in the fight against smuggling, money laundering, and other economic crimes.

The Acting Zonal Director of the EFCC in Kano, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE1), Friday S. Ebelo, made this known on Monday while receiving students of the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, who paid an educational visit to the Directorate.

Ebelo said the synergy between both agencies had strengthened enforcement efforts, leading to the interception of smuggled goods, recovery of illicit funds, and the arrest of high-profile economic offenders.

“Our collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service has led to the interception of smuggled goods, recovery of illicit funds, and arrest of high-profile economic offenders,” he said. “The fight against illegal trade and money laundering requires that we understand each other’s operational frameworks. This visit is a step toward building a more formidable, coordinated response.”

He noted that the visit, themed “Customs Protect Society Through Effective Interagency Collaboration and Border Control,” highlighted the importance of seamless cooperation among security and regulatory agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s borders and economic stability.

According to him, no single agency can effectively combat cross-border financial crimes and economic sabotage without strong intelligence sharing and joint operational strategies. He added that the EFCC and Customs share a common responsibility in protecting national revenue and maintaining economic integrity.

Ebelo further emphasized that enhanced interagency collaboration remains critical in disrupting the financial networks of organised criminal groups operating across borders.

Leader of the delegation and Commandant of the College, Assistant Controller General of Customs, D. Gaura, commended the EFCC for its transparency and operational efficiency.

He said the study tour was designed to expose officers to practical aspects of interagency synergy, noting that modern Customs administration extends beyond cargo inspection to include intelligence-driven financial investigations.

Gaura stressed that Customs officers must understand how the EFCC tracks proceeds of smuggling and transnational crimes, as well as how both agencies can jointly dismantle the financial structures sustaining organised criminal activities.

He added that effective protection of society through Customs operations could only be fully achieved through close collaboration with the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies.

Highlights of the visit included a lecture delivered by the Head of Visa Fraud and Malpractice Section, Chief Superintendent of the EFCC, CSE Victor Ikang, on the theme of the programme.

The visit also featured a question-and-answer session between the students and the Acting Zonal Director on confiscated items linked to currency smuggling, money laundering, and other financial crimes.

Participants further engaged in interactive discussions on intelligence-sharing protocols, joint investigation procedures, and the legal frameworks guiding interagency collaboration.