The Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been lauded for its outstanding performance in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations, and trade facilitation, following a familiarisation visit by Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, on Thursday February 5, 2026.
Addressing officers during the visit, ACG Babandede praised the Command for consistently surpassing expectations in revenue collection, noting that it had exceeded its annual target for 2025. He also commended the sustained anti-smuggling efforts, highlighting significant seizures of narcotics and other illicit substances, including cocaine and tramadol.
“These interceptions are critical contributions to national security, public health, and societal safety”, the Zonal Coordinator stated, adding that effective enforcement is key to creating a secure environment for legitimate trade to thrive.
While emphasising that the Customs Service’s mandate extends beyond revenue collection to include national security, public safety, and trade facilitation, Babandede applauded the Command’s inter-agency collaboration and urged officers to further deploy and promote trade facilitation tools that have strengthened operational performance.
He also stressed the importance of integrity, reputational management, mentorship, and capacity building, encouraging senior officers to transfer knowledge and experience to younger personnel. He further highlighted officers’ welfare and health, noting that drug tests would be conducted across Commands to ensure fitness and effectiveness in service delivery.
In response, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, thanked the Zonal Coordinator for the timely and motivating visit, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to sustaining performance in revenue generation, enforcement, trade facilitation, inter-agency cooperation, and ethical conduct, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and the policy direction of the Comptroller General of Customs.
The visit was described as a significant morale booster for personnel and a testament to the Apapa Command’s pivotal role in safeguarding Nigeria’s ports and supporting economic growth.