Comptroller Otunla Takes Over Leadership at Ogun 1 Command
Kathy Kyari
The Nigeria Customs Service has welcomed a new helmsman at the Ogun 1 Area Command, as Comptroller Godwin Otunla officially assumed duty, pledging to build on existing gains and strengthen the fight against smuggling.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at the Command headquarters in Idiroko, Ogun State on Thursday, Comptroller Otunla made it clear that his administration is ready to hit the ground running.
“This new administration under my watch will not tolerate any form of economic sabotage. We shall deploy all lawful means to combat smuggling and enforce compliance with extant trade laws and regulations,” he said.
Otunla, who took over from Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and the NCS management team for entrusting him with the leadership role. He assured stakeholders of his commitment to service guided by professionalism and integrity.
“I do not take this trust for granted, and I assure you all that I will give it my best, guided by the values of professionalism,” he stated, while commending his predecessor for laying a solid foundation. “Particularly in revenue generation, anti-smuggling efforts, and improved community engagement.”
Acknowledging the complexities of managing a border post like Ogun I, Otunla emphasized the importance of boosting enforcement, intelligence led operations, operational efficiency, and stakeholder engagement.
Before officially handing over, Comptroller Shuaibu took stock of his brief but impactful three month tenure. According to him, the Command raked in over N43 million in revenue from January to April 2025, while also achieving significant results in anti-smuggling operations.
“What comes to mind first and foremost was revenue we generated during the period. Under my leadership, the Command generated Forty Three Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ninety Four Naira (N43,412,794.00) from January to April this year 2025,” he said.
“On anti-smuggling activities, for the past three months, we have recorded 161 seizures of different prohibited items. Prominent to be mentioned is seizures of 3,699 Cannabis Sativa of different make and sizes, 150 Sacks of India Hemp, three Single barrel long Guns, four packets of 25 cartridges of 100 pieces of Cartridges and 7,000,000,000 CFA.”
Shuaibu also used the occasion to thank the Comptroller-General and the officers and men of the Command for their unwavering support. He urged them to give the same level of cooperation and loyalty to his successor.
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