Odita Sunday 
Zonal Coordinator Lauds Apapa Customs Command’s Revenue Drive, Seizures, Tasks Officers On Integrity
By Odita Sunday
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, describing the Command as a critical pillar of the Service’s operational success.
ACG Babandede gave the commendation on Thursday, 5 February 2026, during a familiarisation visit to the Command, where he applauded officers and men for exceeding their annual revenue target in 2025 despite operational challenges associated with port activities.
Addressing officers during the visit, the Zonal Coordinator explained that the engagement was aimed at appreciating the Command’s achievements, understanding its challenges and boosting the morale of personnel who have consistently delivered beyond expectations. He noted that the Apapa Area Command’s revenue performance reflected professionalism, dedication and effective leadership.
He also praised the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling operations, particularly the interception of narcotics and other prohibited items such as cocaine and tramadol.
According to him, the seizures represent significant contributions to national security, public health and societal safety, stressing that strong enforcement remains fundamental to safeguarding legitimate trade.
While noting that the Nigeria Customs Service’s mandate goes beyond revenue collection to include national security, public safety and trade facilitation, ACG Babandede commended the Command’s inter-agency collaboration.
He urged officers to further strengthen cooperation with sister agencies and sustain the deployment of trade facilitation tools that have earned the Service an upper-class operational rating.
The Zonal Coordinator further charged officers on integrity, reputational management, and mentorship and capacity building, urging senior officers to deliberately transfer knowledge and experience to younger personnel. He also drew attention to 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 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 high performance in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency cooperation and ethical conduct, in strict compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
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