There is now a new Sheriff, and Controller at Port Harcourt Area 11 Customs Command Onne, in Rivers State.
The change of batton took place on Wednesday, the 10th of September, 2025 at the Customs Area 11 Headquarters @ Federal Lighter Terminal, Onne Port, in Rivers State.
At a well attended and colourful handover ceremony, the former Comptroller in charge of Area 2 Command, now Assistant Customs Controller (ACG), Mohammed Babandede handed over the baton to the new Controller of Area 11 Customs Command, Comptr. Aliyu M. Alkali.
Speaking at the event, shortly after taking over the baton of Command, the new Controller, Comptr. Aliyu Alkali congratulated his predecessor for his achievements.
He said, he will sustain the existing collaborations between stakeholders, particularly agents, importers and other sister agencies, and promise to even surpass the expectations.
“I will continue to be your friend”, he assured agents and other stakeholders operating at Onne Port.
But he warned that security and revenue generation, will continue to be his top priority, reminding all the stakeholders that he would not compromise on any of the critical concerns.
“I will engage you one on one, on collective issues”, he assured all, and promise to be fair in all his dealings.
He also acknowledged that he is not entirely new in activities and operations of Customs in the Zone, and assured of his positive contributions.
He said under his watch, he will have Zero tolerance to importers and agents of deàth, including those trading on contraband goods and illicit/fake drugs.
He warned such traders to stop forthwith, or risk consequences even as he promised to continue to work collaboratively with other sister agencies, including NAFDAC, NDLEA, DSS, the Nigerian Navy, DSS, to ensure the security/protection of the area from importers of illicit drugs.
Earlier in his address, the outgoing Comptroller of Area 11, now ACG Mohammed Babandede, while addressing the Media on his achievements and performance recalled that 6 weeks ago, the Comptroller – General of Customs (CG), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR and the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye were in Port Harcourt, to receive containers of illicit and substandard drugs that were intercepted and handed over to NAFDAC.
He said the joint visit was a significant step in what he described as a “significant step in their collaborative efforts to combat fake and substandard drugs”.
The outgoing commander, said that under his watch, Onne Customs Command successfully intercepted a total of 20 containers with a combined Duty Paid Value of N13, 573, 430, 630.
He described the highlights of the drug interceptions to include 1, 195, 400 bottles of codeine syrup X 100ml each; 3,200, 000 tablets of Benzhexol X 5mg; 1,633 cartons of laboratory equipments and 239,400 the packets of diluent ampoules of atesunde injection. He said these imports came from India and targeted the Nigerian market; smuggled concealing them with disguise of regular imports
Babandede added that Nigeria has long, struggled with the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs which he said poses a significant risk to public health, including potentially fatal outcomes.
The Customs top brass also expressed appreciation to the corporation and support he received from stakeholders and other sister agencies, attributing same to the success of his administration, noting that part of his achievements, includes facilitation of Corporate Social Responsibility to officers wives and widows in their catchment area, and provision of a brand new gate for Onne Customs Command.
Meanwhile, goodwill messages in honour of ACG Mohammed Babandede, came from Onne Multi Purpose Terminal (OMT) Managing Director, Nicolo Scannnavinni, who was ably represented by the Commercial Manager, Mr. Charles Okogbile who congratulated him on his performance and friendship.
WACT, ACG Zone C, ANLCA Chairman Chief Isikaku also applauded Babandede on his performance and open door policy.
The highpoint of the event was presentation of Awards by former Chairman of ANLCA Onne Seaport, Mike Ebeatu, for and on behalf of ANLCA and other related associations.
NAFDAC Onne Zone, also presented an award to the outgoing Customs Comptroller Onne, ACG Mohammed Babandede, as token of appreciation for their collaborative efforts to stop cargo of death at the port.
