The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under the watch of the out gone Area Comptroller and now Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) of Customs, Mohammed Babandede, has said that the Command made a seizure of 20 containers of illicit pharmaceutical products and other items worth over N13,573,430,630.00 (Thirteen Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy-three Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Thousand, Six Hundred and Thirty Naira).
ACG Babandede, who described the seized containers as his parting gift to the Command, further enumerated on the 7 seized containers of illicit pharmaceutical products and the 13 containers of different items seized by the Command under his watch.
ACG Babandede, who recalled the visit of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR and the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mrs. Mojisola Adeyeye in the last 6 weeks, where some containers of illicit pharmaceutical products were intercepted and handed over to NAFDAC, added that their visit to the Command marked a significant step in their collaborative efforts to combat fake and substandard drugs.
He equally used the medium to appeal to those, whom he may have offended in the course of discharging his duty as the then Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) of the Command, to forgive him; adding that his door is always open to accommodate everyone.
While receiving the new Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali; ACG Babandede used the medium to call on officers and stakeholders to extend their unflinching supports to him, while at the Command to Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali, as its 26th CAC.
The handover ceremony, which was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, was witnessed by the new Zonal Coordinator of Zone “C” Headquarters, PortHarcourt, ACG Kamal Mohammed; the Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt Area I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku; heads of security and relevant government agencies; terminal operators; freight forwarders; and other critical stakeholders.
In his farewell speech, ACG Kamal Mohammed praised Babandede as a “Distinguished Leader,” who served with vision, dedication, and resilience, leaving behind a solid legacy.
The Zonal Coordinator welcomed Comptroller Alkali and charged him to consolidate on the existing gains, while introducing his innovations to further the Service’s expectations.
In his short, but concise maiden address, Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and assured stakeholders that his administration would focus on trade facilitation, revenue generation, compliance with regulations, and public safety.
The CAC further called for sustained collaboration with relevant stakeholders in the course of his tenure, to advance Nigeria’s safety and economic growth.
In the same vein, the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Onne Seaport chapter, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku (Onwa), who spoke on behalf of other associations of Customs
licensed agents and terminal operators at Onne Seaport Command, lauded ACG Mohammed Babandede for scoring 100% in Anti-smuggling, collaboration with sister agencies and stakeholders operating at Onne Seaport.
He in the meantime, appreciated the amiable wife of ACG Babandede, for being supportive to her husband, and finally honoured ACG Babandede with an Award of Excellence, which was presented by the immediate past Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport chapter, Mr. Mike Ebeatu, based on the relationship that existed between ANLCA and ACG Babandede.
Chief Isikaku equally welcomed the new CAC, Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali to Onne Area II Customs Command and assured him of their unalloyed supports to his leadership.
