In what has been described as an inspiring display of courage, endurance, and resilience, the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday hosted Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Akpevwe Ogboru, who recently returned from a 72-day solo motorbike journey from Nigeria to Belgium and back — a feat that has earned her national and international admiration.
Ogboru, embarked on the extraordinary adventure on August 1, 2025, covering thousands of kilometres across countries and varying climatic zones before returning to Nigeria on October 11, 2025. Her journey, which she documented on social media, drew wide attention both within and outside the Service, positioning her as a symbol of determination and global representation for the NCS.
Speaking during her courtesy visit to the Command, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oluwadare Oshoba, described her achievement as a historic moment for the Service, noting that she had brought honour and recognition to the Command and the entire Nigeria Customs Service.
“On behalf of the officers and men of Apapa Command, you have caused this command to produce a celebrity during my time as CAC,” Oshoba said. “Your trip on a motorbike from Nigeria to Belgium speaks volumes about our Service and the value we attach to hard work, resilience, adventure, and innovation.
“You have proven yourself to be an ambassador of the Nigeria Customs Service, particularly the Apapa Command where you are serving with nostalgia. We share in your absence and rejoiced at your return, knowing you were warmly received both at the Seme Border and at the Headquarters by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi”
Oshoba commended Ogboru’s courage and stamina, describing her as an embodiment of endurance, physical fitness, and mental alertness. “You have demonstrated environmental awareness and the capacity to adapt to various conditions across different geographical locations and time zones. Your 72-day solo Nigeria-to-Belgium trip is a feat that we are proud of. Your contemporaries are inspired, and your superiors are motivated,” he added.
He further noted that the command followed her activities online with great admiration, likening the experience to “watching the popular Discovery Channel, but this time watching one of our own in the global space.”
The Area Controller expressed pride in her achievement, saying, “You are indeed a celebrity in Customs uniform, and the global community has taken record of you. No venture, no success — thank you for venturing, and thank God for your success.”
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Comptroller A.B. Yinusa described Ogboru as “a woman of valour, resilience, and unyielding determination,” noting that her journey had captured the hearts of Nigerians, particularly women across the world.
“A woman who rides her motorbike from Nigeria to Belgium in 72 days has written her name in the annals of courage,” Yinusa said.
“This is not just a tale of adventure; it is a story of purpose meeting passion. Assistant Comptroller Ogboru has always exemplified professionalism, discipline, and excellence, yet this extraordinary journey transcends her official duty — it reflects the spirit of a modern customs officer: bold, curious, and globally minded.”
He added that her expedition had redefined the image of the Service, showing that Customs officers are not only enforcers of trade laws but also ambassadors of resilience who represent Nigeria with pride and dignity.
“Through her courage and visibility, she has projected a new image for the Nigeria Customs Service. For women in uniform and women across Nigeria, indeed the world, Ogboru’s journey is proof that there is no road too far and no dream too high when courage leads the way,” Yinusa stated.
Chairperson of Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, who was also present at the event, congratulated Ogboru and commended the leadership of the Customs Service for promoting gender inclusion and supporting female officers to break barriers.
“I want to thank the Comptroller-General of Customs for encouraging women to spread their wings as high as they can,” she said. “Assistant Comptroller Ogboru, the sky is your limit. People often say, ‘What a man can do, a woman can do better.’ I congratulate you and all women in the Service. I don’t know why they call women the weaker vessel — I am not weak, I am strong and courageous. For you to embark on such a journey, I must congratulate you.”
In her response, Assistant Comptroller Ogboru expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Apapa Command for their support, encouragement, and recognition. She recounted her experiences on the trip, highlighting the challenges she faced such as extreme cold and navigating desert terrain, but emphasized that courage and faith kept her going.
“I just wanted to show that anything is possible if you are bold and determined. It was not an easy journey, but every challenge made me stronger,” she said. “I thank the CGC for his support and for allowing me to represent the Service in such a unique way. I also thank my command for believing in me and welcoming me back with so much love.”
