Zone A Customs Boss Commends Apapa Command for Surpassing 2025 Revenue Target, Major Drug Seizures
Kathy Kyari
The Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, has commended the Apapa Area Command for surpassing its 2025 revenue target and recording significant successes in anti-smuggling operations, particularly in the interception of hard drugs and other illicit items.
ACG Babandede gave the commendation on Thursday, during a familiarisation visit to the Command, where he praised officers and men for their exceptional performance in revenue generation, enforcement and trade facilitation despite prevailing operational challenges.
Addressing officers during the visit, the Zonal Coordinator said the purpose of his visit was to acknowledge the challenges faced by the Command, appreciate its notable achievements and further boost the morale of personnel who have consistently exceeded expectations, especially in revenue collection.
He lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling efforts, citing the seizure of narcotics and other prohibited substances, including cocaine and tramadol, describing the interceptions as critical to national security, public health and societal safety. According to him, effective enforcement remains fundamental to creating a secure environment that allows legitimate trade to flourish.
While noting that revenue generation is only one aspect of the Service’s mandate, ACG Babandede stressed that national security, public safety and trade facilitation remain central to Customs operations.
He commended the Command’s inter-agency collaboration and urged officers to strengthen cooperation with sister agencies, particularly in the deployment of trade facilitation tools that have enhanced the Service’s operational rating.
The Zonal Coordinator also emphasised integrity, reputational management, mentorship and capacity building, urging senior officers to mentor younger personnel.
Babandede further highlighted the importance of officers’ welfare and health, disclosing that drug tests would be conducted across Commands and advising officers to remain health-conscious for optimal service delivery.
In his response, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, thanked the Zonal Coordinator for the visit, describing it as timely and motivating.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining high standards in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency cooperation and ethical conduct in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
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