The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, under the leadership of Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, has introduced new access restrictions that took effect on June 15, 2026. The policy is intended to tighten security and control who enters the command premises.

Under the new rules, licensed customs agents must register their staff and obtain access cards for N5,000 per person. The move has sparked strong backlash from agents, who have voiced their anger through various channels and are calling for collective resistance.

Agents argue that the fee is unnecessary and burdensome. They point out that many already hold valid identification issued by other agencies, such as the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) port pass, and see the new card as a duplicate that opens the door to extortion. Some have questioned whether the policy is genuinely about security or simply a way to generate revenue.

Oshoba has defended the decision, describing it as a standard security practice used in many organisations around the world. But with agents now mobilising for a showdown, the tension at Apapa is far from settled.