Amanze Chinonye
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday witnessed a change of leadership at its Area II Command, Onne, as Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali formally took over from outgoing Area Controller Mohammed Babandede, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) and redeployed to Customs Zone A Headquarters in Lagos.
The colourful handover ceremony, held at the Onne Command headquarters, drew senior Customs officers, heads of security agencies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and other key stakeholders. Zonal Coordinator Zone C, ACG Kamal Mohammed, led the high-powered delegation of Customs top brass to the event.
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Massive Seizures Valued at ₦13.5 Billion
In his valedictory address, ACG Babandede highlighted the command’s recent enforcement successes, revealing the interception of 20 containers laden with banned pharmaceuticals and other contraband with a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦13,573,430,630.00.
The seizures included:
- 1,195,400 bottles of codeine syrup (100ml each)
- 3,200,000 tablets of Really Extra (Diclofenac 50mg)
- 3,500,000 tablets of Benzhexol (5mg)
- 1,633 cartons of laboratory equipment
- 2,612,400 packs of 5ml Analgin injections
- 239,400 ampoules of diluent for artesunate injections
- 399,700 ampoules of expired Artemac injections
According to Babandede, the illicit drugs imported from India and disguised as regular cargo were concealed alongside legitimate goods such as ceiling fans, tomato paste, vegetable oil, handbags, and used clothes to evade regulatory checks.
“Nigeria has long battled the menace of counterfeit and substandard medications, which pose grave public health risks, including fatal outcomes,” Babandede warned. “Our operations reflect the federal government’s resolve to stop dangerous drugs like codeine and tramadol from entering the market.”
Commendations and Transition
Babandede attributed the success to the “remarkable vigilance and professionalism” of officers at the Onne Command, stressing that the seizures underscored Customs’ commitment to protecting Nigeria’s borders and safeguarding public health.
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ACG Kamal Mohammed praised the outgoing controller as a “distinguished leader whose tenure was defined by dedication, vision, and resilience,” urging the new Area Controller to build on his predecessor’s achievements while introducing fresh ideas to boost trade facilitation and revenue generation.
New Controller’s Pledge
In his acceptance speech, Comptroller Alkali pledged to sustain the command’s strong record of compliance enforcement, trade facilitation, and revenue collection.
“My mandate is clear: to ensure adherence to trade regulations, protect public health, and prevent economic sabotage,” Alkali said, calling for the continued cooperation of stakeholders to maintain the command’s contribution to national development.
The ceremony culminated in the presentation of an award of excellence to ACG Babandede by the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in recognition of his outstanding service.
The leadership change at Onne, one of Nigeria’s busiest maritime trade hubs comes at a critical time when the Customs Service is intensifying efforts to combat drug trafficking, boost non-oil revenue, and strengthen supply chain security.
The massive seizures highlight the persistent threat of illicit pharmaceuticals to public health, while Alkali’s appointment signals continuity in the federal government’s push to tighten border control and promote legitimate trade.
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