The Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, has commended the Apapa Area Command for its outstanding performance in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and trade facilitation throughout 2025.
Babandede gave the commendation on Thursday, 5 February 2026, during a familiarisation visit to the Command, where he praised officers and men for surpassing expectations, particularly in revenue collection, noting that the Command exceeded its annual revenue target despite operational challenges.
According to the Zonal Coordinator, the visit was aimed at acknowledging the efforts of personnel, understanding the challenges confronting the Command, and boosting the morale of officers who have demonstrated professionalism and commitment to duty.
He also lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling drive, highlighting significant seizures of narcotics and other illicit substances, including cocaine and tramadol. Babandede described the interceptions as a major contribution to national security, public health, and societal safety, stressing that strong enforcement is essential for creating a secure environment in which legitimate trade can flourish.
While emphasizing that the core mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service goes beyond revenue generation to include national security, public safety, and trade facilitation, the Zonal Coordinator commended the Command’s effective inter-agency collaboration. He urged officers to further strengthen cooperation with sister agencies, particularly in the deployment of trade facilitation tools that have enhanced the Service’s operational rating.
Babandede further charged officers on the need to uphold integrity, protect the reputation of the Service, and prioritize mentorship and capacity building. He encouraged senior officers to mentor younger personnel and also underscored the importance of officers’ welfare and health, disclosing that drug tests would be conducted across Commands. He advised officers to remain health-conscious to ensure effective service delivery.
In his response, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed appreciation to the Zonal Coordinator for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining its strong performance in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency collaboration, and ethical conduct, in strict compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
