The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, on Thursday, 5 February 2026, hosted the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, during a familiarisation visit in which he praised officers and men of the Command for their outstanding performance in 2025.
Speaking to personnel, ACG Babandede explained that the visit was aimed at gaining firsthand insight into the Command’s operational challenges, commending its impressive achievements, and boosting the morale of officers who have continued to go above and beyond their duties. He particularly highlighted the Command’s exceptional revenue performance, noting that it surpassed its annual revenue target.
The Zonal Coordinator also applauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling drive, citing major seizures of narcotics and other prohibited items, including cocaine and tramadol. He described these interceptions as vital to safeguarding national security, protecting public health, and ensuring societal well-being, stressing that strong enforcement is essential for creating a safe and enabling environment for legitimate trade to flourish.
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While noting that the core responsibilities of the Service extend beyond revenue generation to include national security, public safety and trade facilitation, the Zonal Coordinator commended the Command for its effective inter-agency collaboration and urged officers to deepen cooperation with sister agencies, particularly in the deployment and promotion of trade facilitation tools that have positioned the Service at an upper-class operational rating.
The Zonal Coordinator further stressed the importance of integrity, reputational management, mentorship and capacity building within the Command. He urged senior officers to transfer knowledge and experience to younger officers while also drawing attention to the importance of 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 remarks, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, expressed appreciation to the Zonal Coordinator for the timely and motivating visit. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining its performance in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency cooperation and ethical conduct in strict adherence to the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs.
Isah Sulaiman
Chief Superintendent of Customs
Customs Public Relations Officer
Apapa Port Command
For: Customs Area Controller
5 February 2026
