By Femi Anamelechi
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) in charge of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has disclosed his commitment to deeper community engagement and stronger inter-agency collaboration as part of efforts to secure Nigeria’s busiest port, enhance revenue collection, and promote seamless trade facilitation. Comptroller Oshoba pointed this out on Friday 26, September 2025 during a courtesy visit to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Oba AbdulFatai Aremu, the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom. The CAC pointed out the importance of mutual understanding between Customs and host communities.“Peaceful coexistence with the people of the area is very key for us. We are here on behalf of the Federal Government and the Nigeria Customs Service to perform lawful duties in terms of revenue collection and compliance, and we seek the maximum support of people in your domain”, Comptroller Oshoba assured that his administration would anchor its activities on the Comptroller-General of Customs’ three policy thrusts of consolidation, collaboration, and innovation, while also advancing the Customs Cares programme, which aims to deliver community-focused projects. The Ojora of Ijora in his welcome speech described the visit as historic, noting it was the second of its kind to the century-old palace. He assured the delegation of the community’s support, especially as preparations for the traditional Elega Festival gathered momentum.“There is no way you can walk without the assistance of the community”, the monarch said, primised to appoint a liaison officer to foster stronger ties with Customs officials.Comptroller Oshoba on Thursday, 25 September 2025 also visited the Maritime Police Command at the Force Headquarters Annexe in Lagos, where he met with Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Chinedu Oko.The CAC assured of his resolve to work hand-in-hand with security agencies, “My mandate is to consolidate on the strides of my predecessor, particularly in revenue generation, enforcement, and trade facilitation. No agency can operate as an island. That is why I am here to strengthen collaboration with the Maritime Police.”He disclosed plans to implement the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which will accelerate cargo clearance for compliant traders and enhance investor confidence in line with the federal government’s economic agenda.Responding, AIG Oko assured him of the Maritime Police’s cooperation, pledging joint enforcement, intelligence sharing, and operational synergy. “We must see ourselves as one family working for the Federal Government”, Oko stated while commending Oshoba’s focus on intelligence-led operations and unity among uniformed services.
