The Nigeria Customs Service has reinforced its commitment to international security cooperation at the 19th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA 2026) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, participated in the high-level security gathering held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC). The event brought together more than 1,400 companies and key stakeholders in defence technology, electronic warfare, and homeland security.
The conference was officially declared open by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, and featured discussions under the Asia Pacific Security Association Malaysia International Security Summit (AMISST) 2026. Security leaders from 14 countries across Asia and the Pacific were in attendance.
Speaking at a special Police–Private Security Dialogue on Cross-Border Crime and Transnational Networks, Adeniyi stressed the need for coordinated global responses to increasingly complex security threats.
He noted that modern criminal networks have become more sophisticated and borderless, engaging in activities such as drug trafficking, wildlife crime, financial fraud, and terrorism financing. According to him, these developments demand stronger intelligence sharing and joint operational strategies among nations.
“The nature of crime has evolved beyond borders, requiring enforcement agencies to move from isolated responses to coordinated global action. Collaboration is no longer optional; it is the foundation of effective security,” he said.
Adeniyi outlined a three-pillar strategy adopted by the Nigeria Customs Service, focusing on technology adoption, institutional collaboration, and capacity building. He emphasised that effective border security now depends heavily on advanced tools and well-trained personnel capable of responding to evolving threats.
He also referenced global frameworks provided by the World Customs Organization, noting that such guidelines are critical in helping member countries combat cross-border crimes more effectively.
Participants at the dialogue agreed that enforcement agencies face common challenges, including limited manpower, outdated equipment, and the rapid evolution of technology-driven crime. They stressed the importance of stronger cooperation among governments, international organisations, and private security actors.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Customs chief held bilateral meetings with counterparts from the Asia-Pacific and the Americas to strengthen operational partnerships and improve intelligence sharing.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to deeper global collaboration, stating that such partnerships are essential to securing borders, safeguarding economic interests, and ensuring the stability of the global trading system.
