Aliyu Takeover from Shuaibu, Sets Stage for Renewed Enforcement Drive

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, held a formal transition ceremony as outgoing Comptroller—now Assistant Comptroller General (ACG)—Mohammed Shuaibu handed over leadership to the new Controleer, Comptroller Gambo Aliyu.

The colouful event, hosted at the Unit’s conference hall in Ikeja, brought together senior officers, patrol leaders and stakeholders.

In his farewell address, ACG Shuaibu described the handover as a significant milestone in his career and expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for their support. He praised officers of the Unit for their resilience and professionalism, noting that their collective efforts produced remarkable results in the fight against smuggling.

Reviewing his seven month tenure, Shuaibu highlighted the Unit’s extensive enforcement achievements, which included 476 interceptions and 761 seized items with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N10,051,812,208. This is even as he listed key seizures to include 23,000 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 94 used vehicles, 2,350 kg of Cannabis Sativa, and 1,820 jerrycans of PMS.

According to him, the Unit also intercepted 15 rifles, 4,841 rounds of ammunition, two industrial drones, 25 kg of crystal methamphetamine, four 50kg cylinders of Russian made explosives, and foreign currencies valued at N31 million.

He explained that in one of the Unit’s most sensitive operations, eight containers of expired pharmaceutical products worth N7.5 billion were transferred to NAFDAC for further action. On revenue recovery, Shuaibu disclosed that intensified compliance checks and Demand Notices (DNs) issued on questionable consignments generated N419,202,459.85.

While congratulating his successor, he expressed confidence that Comptroller Aliyu would consolidate on the Unit’s gains and introduce new strategies for improved performance.

In his response, Comptroller Gombo Aliyu commended ACG Shuaibu’s outstanding record and thanked the CGC for entrusting him with the leadership of the flagship federal operations unit. He emphasized the Unit’s critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests, particularly within the high risk Lagos corridor.

Aliyu outlined his administrative priorities, which include strengthening enforcement operations, upholding professionalism and integrity, enhancing collaboration with security agencies, improving officers’ welfare and capacity development, and promoting transparency and teamwork.

These he encapsulated under a three point administrative agenda he said will guide his leadership: Change Management, Compliance Management, and Reputational Management.

Calling for unity and renewed dedication, the new Comptroller assured officers of an inclusive leadership style and constructive engagement with the stakeholders. The ceremony concluded with goodwill messages, presentation of gifts by the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and officers of the Unit, and a ceremonial cutting of the cake in honor of the outgoing ACG.

The new Controller brings to the Unit an impressive record of service. Born in the United Kingdom over five decades ago, he has served the Nigeria Customs Service since 1991, rising meritoriously to the rank of Comptroller in 2024. His academic and professional development spans institutions in the UK and multiple international training bodies. He is a Fellow of the Association of Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (USA), a Certified Threat Analyst, and a Physical Security Manager with extensive experience in enforcement, crisis management, and trade compliance.

The certified threat analyst has served across various Customs formations, including as Deputy Comptroller of Enforcement at Tin Can Island Port, where his team intercepted arms, drugs, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals. His unit earned commendations for rejecting a $50,000 bribe offer—an incident that further cemented his reputation for integrity.

Comptroller Aliyu is married with children, and enjoys music, cycling, and traveling.