Maritime journalists under the Network of Nigerian Maritime Journalists, NNMJ have honoured the outgoing Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘A’, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu.
This is as he leaves the command after recording more than ₦2 billion in revenue recovery over nine months.
Aliyu disclosed the revenue figure during a farewell visit by the journalists to his office in Lagos on Wednesday, saying the amount represented about five times the Unit’s annual revenue target.
He also revealed that the FOU Zone ‘A’ intercepted more than 21,000 bags of smuggled rice, equivalent to about 35 truckloads, during the period under review, alongside illicit drugs and other prohibited items.
The outgoing Controller attributed the achievements to the commitment of his officers and support from the Customs management, saying operations under his leadership had increasingly relied on intelligence to tackle smuggling.
“Our approach to tackling smuggling has been deliberate and targeted, relying heavily on intelligence-driven operations rather than random actions,” Aliyu said.
He also credited the media with an important role in the fight against smuggling and economic crime, describing journalists as strategic partners of the Customs Service.
“We view journalists as strategic partners and critical allies in our fight against crime and smuggling—a challenge no single agency can tackle alone,” he said.
Aliyu, who said he was a former member of the press, added that collaboration between the Customs Service and the media remained important to sustaining efforts to suppress smuggling.
The journalists, in turn, presented Aliyu with a token of appreciation, describing him as a media-friendly Customs officer who distinguished himself through professionalism, accessibility and integrity.
Chairman of the NNMJ, Elder Dele Aderibigbe, said the visit was unusual because the journalists were not at the Unit to report an official engagement but had deliberately come to celebrate an officer they regarded as a friend and professional partner.
“Controller Gambo Aliyu, we came here today just to say that we are incredibly proud of you,” Aderibigbe said.
He described journalists as watchdogs of society and urged Aliyu to maintain the values that had earned him the respect of the media.
Aderibigbe also called on other Customs officers to emulate Aliyu’s leadership qualities and commitment to duty.
Chairman of the NNMJ Advisory Board, Sesan Onileimo, described Aliyu as a man who kept his word, recalling an earlier commitment made by the Controller which he said was subsequently fulfilled.
“I want to sincerely thank you for what you have done,” Onileimo said.
He said Aliyu’s ability to keep his commitments despite challenges demonstrated integrity and had helped strengthen his relationship with maritime journalists.
Onileimo said the journalists’ gesture was not intended to seek favours but to recognise an officer whose conduct had earned their respect.