By Stephen Ubanna
For those who thinks that Compt. Wale Adenuga, who was one a one-time DC, Revenue, Apapa Command, under then Compt. Babatunde Olomu, and one of the think thanks of the Command that had had perfected strategies for its upward monthly revenue is not a known name in anti-smuggling circles may have to watch their tongues.
Compt. Adenuga, had carved his teeth in anti-smuggling operations as a young officer under one of the finest anti-smuggling gurus that the service had ever produce had ever produced, the retired Assistant Comptroller General, ACG, Ade Fadahunsi, who is now a Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria who had headed the then Comptroller General of Customs Anti-smuggling Task Force, which gave the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos, which had a formidable Area Controller tough Competition in dealing with the Smugglers in the south western states of Ogun, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun , Ekiti and Ondo states.
The Seme Command new rea Controller, according a retired senior Customs officer, who spoke to the Value Nes on condition of anonymity had described the Customs Comptroller as brave officer in every operation that he had participated that their Team had always made spectacular seizures including Trucks laden cargoes.
He may not be in class of ACG Oramalugo, who had had Kebbi, Oyo and Commands, which are basically a Interventionist Units, before being redeployed to Seme Command, described as the busiest border post in the West AND central African sub-regions, but he knows his onions when it comes to anti-smuggling operations. The message is very clear that officers who may want him to take him for granted that since the master is gone, they could easily maneuver way with the new Area Controller to do the unexpected to play on his intelligence as they play into his hands.
Many believes that the officers of the Seme Command are lucky to have passed through ACG, Olomu, who is a strategist in revenue collection and anti-smuggling operation, sending a strong message to the importers with their agents who are used to cutting corners to take delivery of their cargoes in the past years without being found that they have to watch it as Compt. Adenuga, who is used identifying areas of revenue Leakages would block it.
An eyewitness account said the Customs ACG, who had retired from the Service, was very happy at seamless change of Leadership in Seme Command on Monday Sept. 8, 2025, to another capable Customs Comptroller and tested anti-smuggling officer who will not give the smugglers a breather as he had done.
The handin over ceremony, according to Isah Suleiman, a Chief Superintendent of Customs and the Command spokesperson was witnessed by senior officers from other security within the shortest possible time at the border post. agencies, representatives of trade and transport stakeholders, Community Leaders among others.
In his inaugural address, Compt. Adenuga had given kudos to the outgoing Seme Command Area Controller for his achievements while still office and had pledged to consolidate on them. As a revenue officer, he had outlined his vision for the Command which is tailored towards giving top priority to trade facilitation to boost the Command revenue generation. He was emphatic that that ‘’trade facilitation is the keyword, urging importers with their agents to ensure to make correct declarations, noting that it is the only way that their Consignments will Customs control.
Determined to improve on the revenue generation f the Command, Compt. Adenuga, was said to have sounded it loud and clear to the importers with their agents, who maritime analysts believe likes cutting corners to shortchange the government that the more they engage in trade facilitation, the more revenue would accrue to the Command and the less smuggling activities the Command will experience.
Compt. Adenuga, who had succeeded ACG Oramalugo, the then Area Controller of the Seme who incidentally was the Chairman of the revived Security Agencies Committee at the Seme/Krake joint Border Community, between Nigeria and Republic of Benin, would automatically step into the position to get Committee working as usual.
Compt. Adenuga, may have known that the support of the other security agencies Leadership to succeed in the Command anti-smuggling operations that he has pledged ‘’to collaborate with the sister-agencies at the border Community which includes the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, under the close watch of Brig.-General Muhammed Marwa, a Nigerian former Ambassador, during the deceased for President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration, NDLEA, Department of State Service, DSS, National Association for Food and Drug Administration Commission, NAFDAC, Nigeria Police, NPF, personnel and others including the border Communities Youths, ‘’to reduce crime and create conducive environment for genuine business to thrive’’.
He may have gladdened the heart of stakeholders when he stated that he is committed ‘’to maintaining open communications with the Traditional Rulers, the Youths of Badagry and the Media and further ‘’reassuring that his doors will remain open’’.
Unlike past Area Controllers of the Command who had ran the basically anti-smuggling Unit, from the Comfort of their office, Compt. Adenuga, is set to change the narrative as he had declared that he will lead from the front and ensure that the officers of the Command both the revenue and the anti-smuggling officers including the Support Staff, ‘’remain disciplined and committed to responsibility and not to compromise their duties’’.
Acknowledging the Leadership of Bashir Adewale Adeni, MFR, the Customs Comptroller General, CGC, , who is also the Chairman of the World Customs Organisation, WCO, Council, Compt. Adenuga had stressed the need ‘’ to make CGC proud through exemplary performance’’. He may have seen ACG Babatunde Olomu, the immediate past Area Controller of Apapa Command as a role model.
In apparent response to Compt. Adenuga’s speech, ACG Oramalugo, who was said to have organized a low -Key handover ceremony, the day as of one mixed emotion’’ leaving the CSC Suleiman, the Command spokesman handle the publicity of the event had described ‘’ joy at God’s thoughtfulness and his promotion but for the nostalgia for the bonds built during his tenure in Seme Command’’.
He had highlighted the Key achievements at Seme Command under his Leadership which includes ‘’sustained suppression of smuggling activities with significant seizures of prohibited goods. This is in addition’’
to the enhanced trade facilitation and improved revenue collection throughout his stay at the Command to ease legitimate business while safeguarding national security as well as fostering inter-agency collaboration and Community engagement ‘’.
Putting on the gab of an officer who has immensely benefited from the Service through hard work, diligence and dedication to duties appreciated by the Authorities, both past and present, he had expressed gratitude to the CGC Adeniyi, and his Management team for their support and thanked his officers for their loyalty and discipline , urging them and all other stakeholders operating at the joint border Community ‘’to extend even greater support to his successor Compt. Adenuga’’.
The Seme Command hand- over ceremony was said to have featured goodwill messages from Heads of other Security agencies and stakeholders, including the Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, at the Joint Border Post Comptroller of Immigration, Border Patrol, Nigerian Shippers Council NSC and NDLEA as well as Federal Road Safety Commission, among others.
The event was said to have ended on a lighter note with a collective ledge from all the security agencies Chiefs at the Joint Border Post and stakeholders ‘’to working synergy with the Seme Command new leadership of the Seme Command to boost revenue, curb smuggling and promote seamless trade at the Seme/Krake joint border Community.
