By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone ‘A’, has ushered in a new phase of leadership as Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni assumes duty as Acting Comptroller of the Unit.
The leadership transition was marked by a send-off ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, where outgoing Comptroller of the Unit, Gambo Aliyu, reflected on his tenure, highlighted the Unit’s operational achievements, and urged officers and men to sustain the values of discipline, teamwork, and professionalism.
Addressing personnel at the ceremony, the outgoing Comptroller emphasised the importance of institutional continuity, stressing that the Service’s mandate must remain the collective responsibility of all officers, irrespective of leadership changes.
“The Nigeria Customs Service is bigger than any individual officer, and the mandate of the Unit must remain our collective priority,” Gambo said, urging personnel to extend the same loyalty and cooperation to his successor while maintaining discipline and respect for the chain of command.
As part of his account of the Unit’s achievements, Gambo disclosed that officers intercepted 12,606 parcels of Cannabis sativa weighing approximately 6,000 kilogrammes. He added that seizures of cannabis and other prohibited items recorded a combined Duty-Paid Value (DPV) of ₦13 billion, reflecting the Unit’s enforcement efforts against smuggling and illicit trade. The outgoing Comptroller also reported that the Unit generated ₦3,192,511,541.52 between 10 December 2025 and 21 September 2026, representing 798 per cent of its ₦400 million revenue target for the 2026 fiscal year.
In his remarks, the incoming Acting Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Afeni, commended Gambo for his leadership, dedication and contributions to the Unit, describing his tenure as a period marked by commitment, professionalism and service.
Afeni pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor, assuring personnel of his commitment to sustaining operational effectiveness, strengthening anti-smuggling activities and advancing the Unit’s statutory responsibilities.
The transition marks the beginning of a new chapter for FOU Zone ‘A’, with Afeni expected to provide leadership continuity while sustaining the Unit’s efforts to combat smuggling and support the Nigeria Customs Service’s broader mandate.
