The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service has generated about ₦2 billion for the Federation Account over a nine-month period, outgoing Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, has said.
Aliyu disclosed this in Lagos during a farewell visit by members of the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists (NNMJ), who honoured him for his leadership, professionalism and relationship with the maritime media.
According to him, the amount generated and recovered represents about five times the Unit’s annual revenue target, while more than 21,000 bags of smuggled rice, equivalent to about 35 truckloads, were intercepted during the period.
The Unit also recorded seizures of illicit drugs and other prohibited goods as part of its anti-smuggling operations.
Aliyu attributed the performance to greater reliance on intelligence-led enforcement, the commitment of officers and sustained support from the management of the Nigeria Customs Service.
“Our approach to tackling smuggling has been deliberate and targeted, relying heavily on intelligence-driven operations rather than random actions,” he said.
He noted that combating smuggling and other forms of economic crime requires collaboration beyond Customs, describing the media as an important strategic partner in the effort.
“We view journalists as strategic partners and critical allies in our fight against crime and smuggling — a challenge no single agency can tackle alone,” Aliyu said.
He also commended officers of the Unit for what he described as their commitment to delivering on its enforcement mandate.
Presenting the recognition plaque, the Chairman of the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists, Aderibigbe, described Aliyu as an accessible and forthright officer who maintained a constructive relationship with the media throughout his tenure.
He said the decision to honour the outgoing Controller reflected the journalists’ assessment of his leadership and openness to professional engagement.
“Comptroller Gambo Aliyu, we came here today just to say that we are incredibly proud of you,” Aderibigbe said, urging other Customs officers to emulate what he described as Aliyu’s professionalism and integrity.
Chairman of the NNMJ Executive Advisory Board, Sesan Onileimo, also praised Aliyu for maintaining an open-door policy with maritime journalists.
Onileimo recalled advising the Controller early in his tenure to sustain engagement with the media, noting that Aliyu had remained committed to that undertaking.
“It is rare for people to make a promise and actually keep it. Finding a way to overcome hurdles shows true integrity,” he said.
He added that Aliyu’s relationship with maritime journalists had helped foster greater engagement between the media and the Federal Operations Unit.
The event brought together senior officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and maritime journalists, with the NNMJ presenting Aliyu with a token of appreciation as he prepares to leave the Unit.
