DC Nwala Takes Over as Acting CAC of Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Command
By Bimpe Audu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Cross River/Calabar Free Trade Zone/Akwa Ibom Area Command, on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, held a handover and takeover ceremony at Customs House, Calabar, marking the transition of leadership from Comptroller Momodu Dauda to Deputy Comptroller Nkeiruka Nwala, who assumed duty as Acting Customs Area Controller (CAC).
In his farewell remarks, Dauda thanked officers and men of the Command for their cooperation and support during his tenure, urging them to sustain the discipline, professionalism and teamwork required to achieve the Service’s operational objectives. He encouraged personnel to extend the same support to his successor, stressing the importance of continuity in the Command’s operations.
“Teamwork, discipline and professionalism remain essential to achieving the objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service,” Dauda said.
The formal transfer of documents and official responsibilities followed, symbolising the transition of leadership and continuity in the Command’s administrative and operational duties.
In her remarks, Nwala thanked the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and the NCS management for the confidence they placed in her. She acknowledged the Command’s strategic responsibilities, spanning seaport operations, the Calabar Free Trade Zone, international border activities and commercial corridors across Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
The Acting CAC identified revenue generation, compliance, trade facilitation, border security, professionalism and strategic partnerships as her administration’s priorities. She pledged to strengthen revenue collection in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, while promoting voluntary compliance and facilitating legitimate trade.
“We will strengthen revenue collection, facilitate legitimate trade and maintain firm enforcement against smuggling and other activities that threaten Nigeria’s economic and security interests,” Nwala said, highlighting the importance of enforcement, particularly along the Mfum-Ekok border corridor.
She called for stronger collaboration with government and security agencies, traditional institutions, the Nigerian Ports Authority, Free Trade Zone operators, licensed customs agents and other stakeholders. The ceremony also featured goodwill messages and presentations in recognition of the outgoing Area Controller’s service, as the Command began a new phase under Nwala’s leadership.
