The Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt Area II Command, Onne, on Wednesday, 10th September 2025, held a formal handover ceremony to mark the assumption of duty by Comptroller Aliyu M. Alkali as the 26th Customs Area Controller. He took over from Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs (ACG) Mohammed Babandede, who was recently promoted to the rank of ACG.
Speaking shortly after the event, Chief Superintendent of Customs Theophilus Peter Duniya, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, noted that the ceremony was graced by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, ACG Kamal Mohammed, the Customs Area Controller of Port Harcourt I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, heads of security and regulatory agencies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, and other key port stakeholders.
In his farewell remarks, ACG Babandede expressed appreciation to officers of the Command, sister agencies, and port stakeholders for their support and cooperation during his tenure. He noted that the synergy among stakeholders contributed to the Command’s numerous successes and urged them to extend the same level of collaboration to his successor.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, ACG Kamal Mohammed, commended the outgoing Controller for his dedication, resilience, and impactful leadership. While congratulating him on his elevation, he assured stakeholders of continuity under the new administration. He further charged Comptroller Alkali to consolidate on the gains of his predecessor while introducing innovative strategies to advance trade facilitation, revenue generation, and public safety.
In his acceptance speech, Comptroller Aliyu Alkali pledged to uphold the trust reposed in him by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring compliance with trade regulations, promoting legitimate trade, preventing economic sabotage, and boosting revenue collection. He called on stakeholders to sustain their collaboration with the Service in order to achieve the Command’s mandate and contribute to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.
