The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has appointed Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni as the 30th Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, with a pledge to strengthen intelligence-led enforcement, block revenue leakages and protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.
Afeni assumed duty at the unit’s command in Ikeja following the retirement of the immediate past CAC, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, whose tenure was marked by major anti-smuggling operations and significant revenue recoveries.
Speaking during the formal change of leadership, Afeni promised purposeful, professional and accountable leadership in carrying out the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the management of the service for the confidence reposed in him, while outlining his administration’s priorities.
“Intelligence-led enforcement, block revenue leakages, and protect Nigeria’s economic and security interests.”
The new acting CAC said enforcement operations under his leadership would remain firm and lawful while respecting human dignity. He also pledged to facilitate legitimate trade through constructive engagement with traders, manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs brokers and other stakeholders.
Afeni Targets Cross-Border Crime
Afeni called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and sister security and law-enforcement agencies to tackle trans-border crimes.
He identified the illicit movement of drugs, arms, currencies, counterfeit goods and other prohibited items as areas requiring sustained inter-agency cooperation.
The new Federal Operations Unit Zone A commander also promised to prioritise the welfare and professional development of officers. He said institutional discipline and regular sporting activities would receive attention as part of efforts to promote fitness, teamwork and work-life balance among personnel.
Gambo Aliyu Highlights Major Seizures
In his handing-over address, outgoing CAC Gambo Aliyu reflected on his tenure and the operational challenges involved in leading the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A.
Aliyu said his administration focused on tackling smuggling, revenue fraud, concealment, under-declaration, false declaration and the movement of prohibited goods.
He disclosed that the unit intercepted 779 smuggling attempts during his tenure. The seizures included more than 20,900 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 61 used vehicles, thousands of used compressors and clothing items, foreign poultry products and 4,418 jerrycans of vegetable oil.
The unit also intercepted 12,606 parcels of cannabis weighing 6,194.3kg, 2.30kg of cocaine, more than 3,000 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) equivalent to 76,505 litres, and 22 elephant tusks weighing 130.84kg.
According to Aliyu, the seizures and other enforcement activities had a combined duty-paid value of N13.07 billion.
Customs Unit Recovers N3.192bn
Aliyu also reported significant revenue recovery during his tenure. Between December 2025 and September 2026, the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A recovered N3.192 billion.
The amount represented 798 per cent of the unit’s N400 million annual revenue recovery target for 2026, while also marking a 776 per cent increase compared with the N411 million recovered during the corresponding period in 2025.
The outgoing CAC attributed the performance to enhanced risk profiling, stricter compliance checks, targeted examination of suspicious declarations, teamwork, professionalism and collaboration with sister agencies and stakeholders.
Aliyu stressed that effective enforcement requires cooperation among relevant government agencies and stakeholders.
Aliyu Charges Successor to Lead With Fairness
As he formally handed over leadership, Aliyu congratulated Afeni and assured him that he was taking over an operational foundation built through sustained enforcement efforts.
He charged the new acting CAC to lead with fairness, firmness, courage and sound judgment, while thanking officers of the unit for their loyalty, discipline and resilience.
The leadership transition comes as the Nigeria Customs Service continues efforts to strengthen border security, combat smuggling and improve revenue mobilisation while supporting legitimate trade.