New Comptroller’s First Day Marred by Fire Outbreak

​Property estimated to be worth millions of naira was destroyed on Monday when a fire outbreak gutted the Western Marine Command office of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Apapa, Lagos.

​The incident, which occurred at about 10:23 a.m., reportedly originated from an electrical surge within the command’s conference room before rapidly spreading to other sections of the building.

​Personnel on duty made frantic initial efforts to contain the raging flames. They were later joined by emergency responders from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, who arrived at the scene around 10:45 a.m. to put the situation under control.

​The newly deployed Deputy Comptroller of Customs for the command, Timothy Jonah—who had just arrived to officially take over the leadership reins from his predecessor—described the timing of the incident as deeply unfortunate.

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​“I just resumed duty to take over, only to witness this fire outbreak,” Jonah remarked. “Every challenge, though negative, is an opportunity to strengthen our operations. In the meantime, we will set up a committee to investigate the cause of the fire.”

​While praising the prompt response of officers on duty and their seamless synergy with the state fire service, Jonah assured the public that rigorous safety measures and protocols would be instituted across the command to forestall a recurrence.