The Zonal Coordinator, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, has commended the Apapa Area Command for its strong performance in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation.
Babandede gave the commendation during a familiarisation visit to the Command on Thursday, February 5, 2026, where he praised officers and men for their achievements throughout 2025, noting in particular that the Command exceeded its annual revenue target.
Addressing officers during the visit, the Zonal Coordinator said the engagement was aimed at understanding the operational challenges of the Command, appreciating its accomplishments and boosting the morale of personnel whose efforts have continued to yield positive results.
He also lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling operations, highlighting major seizures of narcotics and other prohibited items, including cocaine and tramadol.
According to him, such interceptions are vital to national security, public health and societal safety, stressing that effective enforcement is essential for a secure trading environment.
Babandede noted that while revenue generation remains important, the core mandate of the Service also includes national security, public safety and trade facilitation.
He commended the Apapa Command for its effective inter-agency collaboration and urged officers to further strengthen cooperation with sister agencies, particularly in deploying trade facilitation tools that have enhanced the Service’s operational rating.
The Zonal Coordinator further emphasised the need for integrity, reputational management, mentorship and capacity building within the Command.
He encouraged senior officers to mentor younger personnel and underscored the importance of officers’ welfare and health, disclosing that drug tests would be conducted across Commands and advising officers to remain health-conscious to ensure effective service delivery.
In his response, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, thanked the Zonal Coordinator for what he described as a timely and motivating visit.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining high performance in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency collaboration and ethical conduct, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
Comment here