Maritime journalists honour Comptroller Gambo Aliyu over anti-smuggling feats

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 commitment to the fight against smuggling.

The journalists, who paid a farewell visit to Aliyu at his office in Lagos on wednesday, described him as a media-friendly Customs officer whose tenure was marked by integrity, accessibility and intelligence-driven operations.

Speaking during the visit, Aliyu disclosed that the FOU Zone ‘A’ generated and recovered more than ₦2 billion for the Federation Account within the last nine months.

He said the amount was about five times the Unit’s annual revenue target.

The outgoing Controller also revealed that the Unit intercepted more than 21,000 bags of smuggled rice, equivalent to about 35 truckloads, within the period, in addition to illicit drugs and other prohibited goods.

Aliyu attributed the achievements to the commitment of his officers and the support of the Customs management, noting that the Unit had increasingly adopted intelligence-led strategies in its operations.

He said the approach had enabled the Unit to target smuggling networks more effectively rather than relying on random enforcement actions.

Aliyu also commended the media for its role in the fight against smuggling and economic crimes, describing journalists as strategic partners in the efforts to protect the nation’s economy.

He stressed that no single government agency could successfully tackle smuggling without the support and collaboration of other stakeholders, particularly the media.

The outgoing Controller, who disclosed that he was a former member of the press, said he was proud of his relationship with maritime journalists and appreciated their support throughout his tenure.

Presenting a token of appreciation to Aliyu, Chairman of NNMJ, Elder Dele Aderibigbe, said the visit was significant because the journalists were not at the Unit to cover an official event, but had deliberately gathered to celebrate a Customs officer they regarded as a friend and professional partner.

Aderibigbe said Aliyu had earned the respect of the media through his accessibility, professionalism and commitment to duty.

He described journalists as the watchdogs of society, noting that while their work could sometimes make stakeholders uncomfortable, their ultimate responsibility was to uphold the truth.

He urged Aliyu to remain committed to the values that distinguished him in service, even as he prepares for his next phase of life.

Aderibigbe also called on other Customs officers to emulate Aliyu’s leadership style and dedication to duty.

Similarly, Chairman of the NNMJ Advisory Board, Sesan Onileimo, described Aliyu as a man 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 Controller’s ability to keep his promises had strengthened the confidence and trust of maritime journalists in him.

According to Onileimo, the fact that hundreds of journalists in Lagos could regard Aliyu as a friend was evidence of the strong relationship he had built with the media.

He stressed that the journalists were not at the farewell visit to seek favours but to appreciate an officer whose conduct and professionalism had earned their respect.

Onileimo thanked Aliyu for his friendship with the media and for consistently keeping his word, describing the token presented to him as a modest expression of the journalists’ appreciation for his service.