2025 Report: ACG Babandede Praises Apapa Command’s Performance, Urges Officers to Uphold Integrity, Boost Trade

The Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede has lauded officers and men of Apapa Area Command for their performance in revenue generation, anti-smuggling operations and trade facilitation throughout the year 2025.

ACG Babandede also urged them to maintain integrity and boost trade.

In a press statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Isa Suleiman for the Area Controller, the Zonal Coordinator gave the commendation during a familiarisation visit to the command on Thursday, 5 February 2026.

He lauded the Command’s sustained anti-smuggling efforts, particularly the significant seizures of narcotics and other illicit substances including cocaine and tramadol, describing the anti-smuggling efforts as a critical contributions to national security, public health and societal safety.

The Zone A boss emphasised that effective enforcement remains fundamental to creating a secure environment for legitimate trade to thrive.

Speaking on the purpose of his visit, ACG Babandede noted that it was targeted at identifying the Command’s operational challenges, appreciating its notable achievements and further boosting officers morale, who have consistently surpassed expectations in revenue collection, exceeding its annual target.

He acknowledged that the core responsibilities of the Service extend beyond revenue generation which includes national security, public safety and trade facilitation.

The Zonal Coordinator further 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.

Babandede 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 of the 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.