Comptroller Ugbagu hands over Customs FOU Zone ‘C’ to Bishir Abdullahi with impressive records

Comptroller Ugbagu hands over Customs FOU Zone ‘C’ to Bishir Abdullahi with impressive records
…leaves excellent footprint for his successor

Thursday, March 20, 2025, will remain indelible in the history of Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘C”, as Comptroller Michael Ugbagu, handed over the mantle of leadership with outstanding records to Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi for continuity.

Comptroller Ugbagu, who carried out his statutory duties dexterously throughout his tenure in FOU Zone ‘C’, is leaving an excellent footprint for his successor to follow.

Recall that Comptroller Ugbagu performed creditably in anti-smuggling operations and other statutory duties within the hinterland, with mind-boggling seizures made during enforcement duties.

Some of his exploits included massive seizures of Donkey skin, tramadol, used tyres, secondhand clothings, cannabis sativa, PMS, pharmaceutical products, among other prohibited items intercepted through intelligence.

For instance, most recently, precisely on March 14, 2025, Comptroller Ugbagu formally handed over expired pharmaceuticals worth millions of Naira to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, in the spirit of inter-agency collaboration.

Thus, the exit of Michael Ugbagu has not created a vacuum in the Unit, as another competent administrator in person of Bishir Abdullahi has stepped on the management saddle of Customs FOU Zone ‘C’.

During the change of baton, which took place at FOU Zone ‘C’ Owerri, the new Area Controller of the Unit in a brief speech thanked and appreciated the outgoing Area Controller, retired Comptroller Michael Ugbagu for his outstanding performance during his tenure.

He acknowledged his significant role in curbing and bringing smuggling activities to the minimal level within his jurisdiction.

Also, Comptroller Abdullahi Balogun reinstated his commitment to ensure that the core mandates of Nigeria Customs Service in Anti-smuggling, Trade facilitation, blockage of revenue leakages, and national security are achieved. He urged officers of the Unit to carry out their duty professionally,  display high level of discipline and commitment in the discharge of their duties.

He promised to operate on open door policy for officers, sister Agencies and the host communities at large, to ensure seamless operations within his area of responsibility.

More so, the new Area Controller sought unwavering support and cooperation of officers of the Unit, stakeholders, and sister Agencies to achieve a united goal.

Comptroller Ugbagu in his speech thanked the Almighty God for seeing him through his tenure, while appreciating officers of the Unit and sister Agencies for their constant unalloyed support.  He enjoined them to give his successor similar cooperation.

Comptroller Abdullahi pledged to build on the ongoing sustainable development and initiatives of the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, in efficiency and strategic evolution. He toured the facilities in the Unit accompanied by his predecessor.

On the whole, Comptroller Ugbagu came, saw, conquered, and raised the bar in Customs operations at FOU Zone C.