Compt Gambo Aliyu has taken the helm as the new Controller of the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, Lagos, under the Nigeria Customs Service. He begins his tenure as the unit’s leader as the outgoing Controller, ACG Mohammed Shuaibu, steps aside after his recent promotion to Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) at Headquarters.

Handing over the baton
A handover ceremony was held at the FOU Zone A office on Wednesday. The outgoing Controller, ACG Mohammed Shuaibu, received commendations and gifts from officers as he passed the leadership to his successor.

In his remarks, Shuaibu reflected on his time in office. He said it marked another milestone in his career and expressed gratitude to God and to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dr Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for the confidence placed in him. Since resuming on April 23, he noted, the unit’s leadership had been guided by intelligence-driven operations, with strong teamwork and dedication from officers. He cited notable outcomes, including significant successes against smuggling and a diminished profile of smugglers through consistent efforts.

Shuaibu highlighted the results achieved during his tenure:

• 476 interceptions and 761 seizures
• Items valued at about N10.1 billion, including: 38 trailers of foreign parboiled rice, 98 exotic tokunbo vehicles, 2,350 kg of Cannabis Sativa, 1,820 jerrycans of PMS
• Other seizures: 15 rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, 2 industrial drones, 25 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 4 explosive cylinders (50 kg each)
• Monetary recoveries: around N31 million (from under-valuations, false declarations, and related notices)
• 38 arrests connected to seizures and 8 containers of expired pharmaceutical products valued at N7.1 billion were intercepted
• A total recovery of about N419 million through various enforcement activities

Shuaibu urged officers to extend the same spirit of cooperation, dedication, and professionalism to the new Controller to keep strengthening the fight against smuggling. He expressed confidence that the foundation laid would keep flourishing under new leadership.

Welcome, Compt Gambo Aliyu
The new Controller, Compt Gambo Aliyu, thanked the Comptroller-General for the trust placed in him and also commended Shuaibu for his service and the value he added to the Nigerian Customs Service.

Aliyu stressed that he would build on the achievements of his predecessor and emphasised a few priorities for FOU Zone A, which covers Lagos and its environs:

• Intensified enforcement and intelligence-driven operations to curb smuggling and illicit trade
• High standards of integrity, discipline, and accountability
• Strong collaboration with stakeholders, sister agencies, and community leaders to bolster border security and facilitate lawful trade
• Focus on capacity building and officer welfare to improve efficiency and readiness
• Emphasis on reputation management, change management, and compliance across operations

He added that the zone would move forward with a collaborative spirit among officers to meet these aims.

Gambo Aliyu also acknowledged the gifts and good wishes from the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) FOU A Chapter, as well as other officers and men who supported Shuaibu’s tenure.

With Compt Gambo Aliyu at the helm, FOU Zone A aims to continue strengthening anti-smuggling efforts, uphold integrity and professionalism, and deepen collaboration with partners to safeguard borders and promote lawful trade. The transition signals a continued focus on enforcement excellence, capacity-building, and effective leadership for Lagos and its surrounding areas.