ELECTRICAL SURGE RAZES CUSTOMS WESTERN MARINE COMMAND OFFICE IN APAPA, DESTROYS PROPERTY WORTH MILLIONS
By Iroyin Yoruba Television
A fire outbreak at the Nigeria Customs Service Western Marine Command in Apapa, Lagos State, has destroyed property and office equipment valued at millions of naira, the agency has confirmed.
The blaze broke out on Monday, 28 September 2026, at approximately 10:23 a.m., originating from an electrical surge in the command's conference room before spreading to other sections of the building.
WHAT HAPPENED
According to accounts of the incident, the fire started in the conference room and rapidly extended to adjoining offices and facilities within the command headquarters.
Customs officers on duty made frantic efforts to contain the flames using available firefighting equipment before the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene at about 10:45 a.m. The fire service's arrival, approximately 22 minutes after the blaze was first noticed, prevented the fire from spreading to nearby structures within the Apapa port corridor, a densely built commercial and maritime zone.
The extent of the damage was still being assessed at the time of reporting, though property and equipment estimated to be worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed in the inferno.
OFFICIAL RESPONSE
The newly deployed Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Timothy Jonah, who had just resumed at the command to take over its affairs from his predecessor, Comptroller Patrick Ntadi, described the incident as unfortunate.
"I just resumed duty to take over, only to witness this fire outbreak," Jonah said.
He stated that a committee would be set up to investigate the cause of the fire and that measures would be taken to strengthen safety protocols and prevent a recurrence.
"Every challenge, though negative, is an opportunity to strengthen our operations," Jonah said.
The Deputy Comptroller commended the swift response of personnel on duty and their collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service in containing the outbreak.
CONTEXT: APAPA'S FIRE RISK PROFILE
Apapa, home to Nigeria's busiest seaport and a concentration of maritime agencies, warehouses, and oil facilities, has a documented history of fire incidents linked to electrical faults and industrial activity. The density of commercial infrastructure in the area means that fires, when they occur, carry a high risk of spreading to adjacent buildings and disrupting port operations.
The Western Marine Command is one of the Nigeria Customs Service's key operational units responsible for maritime enforcement, anti-smuggling patrols, and surveillance of Nigeria's coastal and inland waterways. Its Apapa base serves as a coordination hub for customs marine operations in the Lagos area and the western littoral zone.
The command has been active in recent months. In April 2026, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, deployed seven operational patrol vessels—comprising two gunboats and five logistics boats—to the Western Marine Command to boost its capacity to combat smuggling and other maritime crimes. The command has also recorded significant interceptions, including the seizure of 601kg of Cannabis Indica valued at N157.8 million in January 2026. In July 2026, the command collaborated with the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT to intercept four boats conveying 518 bags of suspected smuggled parboiled rice along the Badagry waterways.
Fires at government facilities in Lagos have previously raised questions about the adequacy of fire prevention systems, including electrical maintenance, fire alarms, and suppression equipment in public buildings. The Customs Service has not disclosed whether the Western Marine Command building had functioning fire detection or suppression systems at the time of the incident.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The committee announced by Deputy Comptroller Jonah is expected to investigate the cause of the fire and recommend measures to strengthen safety protocols at the command. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is also expected to submit a report on the incident, including its findings on the cause and the extent of the damage.
The Nigeria Customs Service has not announced whether the command's operations will be relocated while the affected building is assessed or repaired. No casualties have been reported in connection with the fire. The Customs Service has not issue