The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) in charge of Zone A, Mohammed Babandede, has taken a firm operational message across two major Lagos Commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), commending strong performances while charging officers to uphold integrity, discipline and efficient trade facilitation.
At the Apapa Area Command, where he paid a familiarisation visit on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Babandede applauded officers and men for their outstanding achievements in revenue generation, enforcement and trade facilitation during the 2025 operational year, noting that the Command exceeded its annual revenue target.
He said the visit was aimed at recognising operational challenges, appreciating measurable achievements and boosting morale among personnel who have consistently surpassed expectations, describing Apapa as a strategic pillar in the Service’s revenue and enforcement architecture.
The Zonal Coordinator particularly lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling operations, citing significant seizures of illicit drugs such as cocaine and tramadol, which he described as vital interventions in safeguarding national security, public health and societal well-being.
Babandede stressed that while revenue generation remains critical, the Service’s broader mandate covers national security, public safety and seamless trade facilitation, commending Apapa’s strong inter-agency collaboration and urging deeper synergy with sister agencies to strengthen operational efficiency.
He further emphasised integrity, reputational management, mentorship and capacity building, urging senior officers to deliberately groom younger ones, while also drawing attention to officers’ welfare and health, disclosing that drug integrity tests would be conducted across Commands.
Responding, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, thanked the Zonal Coordinator for the visit, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to sustained performance, ethical conduct and strict compliance with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the policy direction of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
A day earlier, Babandede had undertaken a strategic operational visit to the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Area Command, aimed at strengthening efficiency, service delivery and operational focus within the Command.
He was received by the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Bolaji Lukman Adigun, who described the visit as timely and motivating, and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to align revenue generation, enforcement and trade facilitation activities with the Service’s broader vision.
Addressing officers at KLT, Babandede underscored the values of discipline, dedication, integrity and teamwork, urging personnel to remain vigilant, adapt to evolving trade challenges, adhere strictly to procedures and embrace innovation and accountability.
Deputy Comptroller Adigun described the engagement as a defining moment, assuring that the Command would leverage the ACG’s guidance to sharpen performance standards, safeguard the national economy and facilitate legitimate trade more effectively.
