RismadarVoice Reporters
September 28, 2026
A fire outbreak has destroyed property estimated to be worth millions of naira at the Nigeria Customs Service Western Marine Command office in Apapa, Lagos.
The incident occurred on Monday morning, with the fire reportedly starting at about 10:23 a.m. in the command’s conference room before spreading to other sections of the building.
Preliminary accounts indicated that the fire may have resulted from an electrical surge, although the command said an investigation would be conducted to establish the cause.
Customs officers on duty reportedly made initial efforts to contain the flames before personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at approximately 10:45 a.m. and joined the emergency response.
The newly deployed Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Timothy Jonah, described the incident as unfortunate, noting that it occurred as he arrived to assume responsibility for the command.
Jonah said he had reported to take over from his predecessor when he was confronted with the fire outbreak.
Despite the damage, the deputy comptroller said the incident would provide an opportunity for the command to reassess its operational and safety procedures.
He disclosed that a committee would be constituted to investigate the circumstances surrounding the outbreak and determine its immediate and underlying causes.
Jonah commended Customs officers who responded to the emergency and worked alongside personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to contain the blaze.
He said the command would review its existing safety protocols and introduce measures aimed at preventing similar incidents.
The full value of property destroyed in the fire had yet to be officially determined.
No casualties were reported in the initial account of the incident.
