Comptroller Gambo Aliyu who has taken over leadership of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has pledged to strenghten enforcement operations and uphold professionalism, discipline, and integrity.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi who made this known in a press release, during a symbolic transition of leadership at the Unit on 11th December, 2025, Comptroller Aliyu said enhancing collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders, improving officers’ welfare and capacity development and promoting open communication, transparency, and teamwork are his priorities.
He further highlighted three guiding principles that will shape his administration which are: change management, compliance management and reputational management.
He called for unity, dedication, and renewed commitment from officers, assuring them of responsible and constructive engagement with the media.
He also wished the former Controller, Mohammed Shuaibu who is now Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, continued success in his future endeavors.
In his handing-over address, ACG Shuaibu described the occasion as another significant milestone in his professional journey. He expressed deep appreciation to Almighty God, Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and his management team for the trust and support extended to him throughout his tenure.
According to him, serving as Comptroller of FOU Zone A had been both an honor and a privilege. He commended officers of the Unit for their dedication, resilience, and teamwork, noting that their collective efforts led to notable successes in combating smuggling. “Together, we confronted high-profile challenges and upheld the highest standards of professionalism in addressing emerging issues,” he said.
Reflecting on his seven months in office, ACG Shuaibu described the period as eventful and rewarding, adding that the Unit significantly suppressed smuggling activities through strategic operations.
He revealed that the Unit recorded 476 interceptions involving 761 seized items, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N10,051,812,208.00.
The seized items included: 23,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 38 trailer loads), 94 used vehicles (tokunbo), 2,350 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1,820 jerrycans of PMS.
Other remarkable seizures comprised: 15 assorted rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, 2 industrial drones, 25 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 4 cylinders of explosives (50 kg each, made in Russia), $20,000 USD and 110,000 CFA (worth N31 million).
He also disclosed that eight containers of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N7.5 billion were handed over to NAFDAC for further action.
On revenue recovery, ACG Shuaibu stated that the Unit intensified compliance checks on questionable import and export consignments, issuing Demand Notices (DNs) that generated N419,202,459.85.
He congratulated his successor, Comptroller Aliyu, expressing confidence that the new leadership would consolidate on the Unit’s achievements and introduce fresh strategies for enhanced performance.
The event concluded with the presentation of gifts by the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and the officers and men of the Unit, followed by the ceremonial cutting of the cake.
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