Story by Dili Utomi.
The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday, 5th of February received the Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, on a familiarisation visit during which he commended officers and men of the Command for their exceptional performance in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation throughout the year 2025.
Addressing officers during the visit, the Zonal Coordinator stated that the purpose of his visit was to acknowledge the operational challenges faced by the Command, appreciate its notable achievements and further boost the morale of personnel who have consistently surpassed expectations, particularly in revenue collection where the Command exceeded its annual target.
ACG Babandede right and Comptroller Oshoba left.
A press release from the office of the public relations officer of the Command, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Isah Sulaiman says that “the ACG also lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling efforts, especially the significant seizures of narcotics and other illicit substances including cocaine and tramadol. The Zonal Coordinator describing these interceptions as critical contributions to national security, public health and societal safety. He emphasised that effective enforcement remains fundamental to creating a secure environment for legitimate trade to thrive”.
While noting that the core responsibilities of the Service extend beyond revenue generation to include national security, public safety and trade facilitation, the Zonal Coordinator commended the Command for its effective inter-agency collaboration and urged officers to deepen cooperation with sister agencies, particularly in the deployment and promotion of trade facilitation tools that have positioned the Service at an upper-class operational rating.
The Zonal Coordinator further stressed the importance of integrity, reputational management, mentorship and capacity building within the Command. He urged senior officers to transfer knowledge and experience to younger officers while also drawing attention to the importance of officers’ welfare and health, disclosing that drug tests would be conducted across Commands and advising officers to remain health-conscious for effective service delivery.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed appreciation to the Zonal Coordinator for the timely and motivating visit. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining its performance in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency cooperation and ethical conduct in strict adherence to the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
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