• Defeats MMIA Command 1-0 in thrilling final
• 16 Customs teams battle in four sporting events
• Adeniyi canvasses revival, expansion of zonal games
The Customs Police Unit has emerged champion of the football event at the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone ‘A’ Inter-Command Games after defeating the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command 1-0 in a keenly contested final.
The decisive goal came early in the first half, giving the Customs Police Unit the lead, which the players successfully defended until the final whistle.
The victory triggered celebrations among the players and supporters as the Unit secured the football title in the competition aimed at promoting physical fitness, teamwork and camaraderie among officers.
The football competition was part of the Zone ‘A’ Inter-Command Games, which featured 16 teams from Customs commands across the zone competing in four sporting disciplines — football, chess, badminton and table tennis.
The games, held from August 17 to September 5, 2026, at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos, were organised under the theme, “Fit to Serve, United to Lead.”
Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who attended the closing ceremony, commended the Zone ‘A’ leadership and the organising committee for the quality of the competition and the activities lined up for the event.
Adeniyi said the games reflected the three pillars of his administration — consolidation, collaboration and innovation.
He noted that the participation of sister agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, demonstrated the collaborative relationship among agencies responsible for national security.
The Customs boss also praised the parade by participating commands, describing it as a colourful display and commending officers for the creativity reflected in their outfits and presentations.
Adeniyi called for the revival and expansion of the competition beyond the zonal level, recalling that the NCS had previously organised zonal games before proceeding to inter-zonal competitions.
He also advocated improved sporting infrastructure across Customs formations, particularly training facilities, noting the Service’s contribution to sports development in Nigeria.
According to him, Customs currently has teams and athletes competing successfully in sports including volleyball, basketball, football, beach volleyball and athletics.
He said improved sporting facilities would provide officers with greater opportunities to develop and showcase their talents.
Adeniyi disclosed that the planned new Customs training college in Ogun State would have adequate sporting facilities, while temporary facilities could also be provided at the existing college to meet the needs of recruits.
Beyond the trophies and medals, the CGC urged officers to embrace the values of discipline, teamwork and strategy which sporting competitions promote.
“The virtues of discipline, teamwork and strategy are very important takeaways from a competition like this.”
He said the same qualities were critical to effective Customs operations, noting that discipline was essential for patrol duties, teamwork was necessary for inter-agency collaboration, while strategy was vital to achieving the Service’s revenue-generation objectives.
Earlier, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, expressed appreciation to Adeniyi for approving the games and providing the support required for their successful organisation.
Babandede also commended the organising committee for its efforts in bringing the various commands together for the competition.
He urged officers not to judge the games solely by the final results, stressing that all participants were winners.
He encouraged the officers to draw inspiration from the experience, improve themselves, strive for excellence and return stronger in future editions.
