Ogun I Customs Command Records Second Violent Attack on Officers Within One Week

Ogun I Customs Command Records Second Violent Attack on Officers Within One Week

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has recorded a second violent attack on its officers within one week during an anti-smuggling operation in Ogun State.

The latest incident occurred at about 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, when officers of the Command, on a routine patrol along a bush path at Alapoti in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, intercepted a convoy of motorcycles conveying smuggled foreign parboiled rice. A total of 46 bags of 50kg foreign rice were seized and loaded into an official patrol vehicle.

According to the Command, while the officers were withdrawing from the area, they were ambushed by a large group of suspected smugglers in an attempt to recover the seized items. The officers reportedly stood their ground and repelled the attack after an intense confrontation that lasted about 30 minutes.

During the incident, one of the attackers sustained injuries and later died, while a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was arrested and is currently undergoing investigation.

The Command noted that the attack came barely a week after a similar incident at Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, where suspected smugglers assaulted customs officers, leaving two personnel with life-threatening injuries. The injured officers are still receiving medical treatment.

The Ogun I Area Command attributed the recent spate of attacks on its personnel to intensified anti-smuggling operations within its area of responsibility, which have resulted in major seizures of prohibited items, including arms, ammunition, and narcotics. It stated that the violent resistance reflects the desperation of criminal elements to undermine lawful enforcement and national security.

Reacting to the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack, describing it as a direct assault on the rule of law. He assured that such actions would not deter the Command from carrying out its statutory duties.

Afeni warned that all those involved in the attacks would be identified and brought to justice, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to the safety of law-abiding citizens and the enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.