The Nigeria Customs Service, Apapa Area Command, has charged its officers to scale up revenue generation, tighten anti-smuggling operations, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, gave the directive during the Command’s monthly parade on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, at the command headquarters in Apapa, Lagos.
Oshoba called for stronger operational interventions across terminals to close revenue leakages while ensuring faster trade facilitation and timely cargo clearance.
“Officers must protect the reputation of the Service. Any delay by any officer concerning any consignment will not be tolerated. Even at the gates. If a consignment is duly exited, there should be no delay at the gates,” he said.
He urged officers to remain accessible and professional in their engagement with stakeholders, warning against actions that could undermine the Service’s image and the progress being driven by the Comptroller General and management team.
“We should not be seen as slugs in the wheels of progress,” Oshoba stated.
The CAC also directed officers to maintain heightened vigilance against smuggling, particularly of illicit drugs and prohibited items, and cautioned against misconduct and improper dressing.
The parade featured awards for outstanding performance. Assistant Comptroller of Customs Ismail Mohammed was named Most Outstanding Officer of the Month, while CSC Augustine Ondoma, ASCI Bukola Olaleye, and IC Olalekan Salawu were recognized for professionalism, innovation, and punctuality.
APM Terminal received the Excellence Award on Enforcement, and ECO SUPPORT Terminal won the Excellence Award on Revenue Generation.
Oshoba said the awards are designed to promote hard work, excellence, professionalism, and healthy competition across the Command.
_Report by Isah Sulaiman, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Public Relations Officer, Apapa Area Command, for the Customs Area Controller. 13 May 2026._
