US, Nigeria battle international criminals
… Sign Customs Mutual Assistance deal
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its American counterpart, the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection, have signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.
The deal was signed in the US by visiting Comptroller-General of Customs Dikko Inde Abdullahi on behalf of Nigeria, while the US Customs and Border Protection’s acting Commissioner Thomas S. Winkowski initialed the agreement for his country.
The deal is intended to ensure the accurate assessment of cross-border customs duties and taxes, as well as combat illegal cross-border activities, including smuggling of contraband, international terrorism and financial crimes, such as customs fraud and money laundering.
“This agreement will enable our customs authorities to expand efforts to protect our borders through the timely and secure exchange of information,” acting Assistant Director of the Office of International Affairs for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Peter Vincent, said in a written statement.
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