Comptroller Aliyu Alkali has officially taken over as the Customs Area Controller of the Port Harcourt Area II Command, succeeding Mohammed Babandede, who was recently elevated to the rank of Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs.
This was disclosed in a press release signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer , Chief Superintendent of Customs , Theophilus Peter Duniya , on 11th September,2025
The handover ceremony, held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, was attended by the Zonal Coordinator for Zone C, Assistant Comptroller General, Kamal Mohammed, Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, representatives of sister security and regulatory agencies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and other stakeholders.
In his farewell address, ACG Babandede reflected on his tenure, highlighting the robust cooperation among customs officers, port authorities, and allied agencies, which he credited for the command’s notable achievements. He urged all stakeholders to extend the same level of support to his successor, underscoring the importance of continued synergy in achieving operational goals.
The Zonal Coordinator, ACG Kamal Mohammed, praised Babandede’s leadership, describing his administration as one defined by vision, commitment, and resilience. He commended the outgoing Controller for the positive impact he had on the command and expressed optimism about the future under Comptroller Alkali’s leadership. He encouraged the new Controller to build on the legacy of his predecessor while infusing new strategies to drive further progress.
In his remarks, Comptroller Alkali pledged to uphold the core responsibilities of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi , including enforcing trade regulations, facilitating legitimate trade, generating revenue, and protecting national economic interests. He emphasised on his readiness to collaborate with all stakeholders to sustain the command’s contributions to national development. He also reaffirmed his commitment to consolidating on the gains made under the former leadership and ensuring continued effectiveness in the areas of trade facilitation, anti-smuggling efforts, and public safety.
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