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, for his outstanding leadership, professionalism and contributions to the fight against smuggling.
The journalists paid a farewell visit to Aliyu at his office in Lagos on Wednesday, describing him as a media-friendly Customs officer who distinguished himself through integrity, accessibility and intelligence-driven enforcement.
Speaking during the visit, Aliyu disclosed that the FOU Zone ‘A’ had generated and recovered more than ₦2 billion for the Federation Account in nine months, representing about five times the Unit’s annual revenue target.
He also revealed that the Unit intercepted more than 21,000 bags of smuggled rice, equivalent to about 35 truckloads, during the period, in addition to illicit drugs and other prohibited items.
Aliyu attributed the achievements to the dedication of officers and the support of Customs management, stressing that the Unit had increasingly adopted intelligence-led strategies in its anti-smuggling operations.
“Our approach to tackling smuggling has been deliberate and targeted, relying heavily on intelligence-driven operations rather than random actions,” he said.
The outgoing Controller also underscored the importance of media collaboration in combating smuggling and other economic crimes.
He described journalists as strategic partners in the fight against crime, noting that no single government agency could successfully tackle smuggling without the support of relevant stakeholders.
“We view journalists as strategic partners and critical allies in our fight against crime and smuggling—a challenge no single agency can tackle alone,” Aliyu said.
Journalists Celebrate Aliyu
In recognition of his leadership and relationship with the media, the journalists presented Aliyu with a token of appreciation during the farewell gathering.
NNMJ Chairman, Elder Dele Aderibigbe, said the visit was unique because the journalists were not at the FOU to report an official event but had deliberately gathered to celebrate a Customs 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 the media as the watchdog of society, stressing that although journalists’ responsibilities could sometimes make stakeholders uncomfortable, their ultimate duty remained to the truth.
Aderibigbe urged Aliyu to remain committed to his convictions as he transitions from his current assignment, while encouraging other Customs officers to emulate his leadership and dedication to duty.
Also speaking, Chairman of the NNMJ Advisory Board, Sesan Onileimo, commended Aliyu for his integrity and consistency, describing him as an officer who keeps his word.
Onileimo recalled an encounter with the Controller in December, saying Aliyu had made a commitment which he subsequently fulfilled despite the challenges involved.
He said the gesture demonstrated Aliyu’s integrity and strengthened the trust between the Customs Service and maritime journalists.
“If 200 journalists in Lagos can say, ‘Controller Gambo is our friend,’ what more proof do you need?” Onileimo asked.
He stressed that the journalists had come not to seek favours but to recognise an officer whose conduct had earned their respect.
The farewell gathering ended with expressions of appreciation for Aliyu’s service, leadership and commitment to maintaining a strong working relationship between the Customs Service and the maritime media.
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