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.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Zakari Chado, the incident occurred at about 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, along a bush path at Alapoti in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, where officers intercepted a convoy of motorcycles conveying smuggled foreign parboiled rice.
He said the patrol team seized 46 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice and evacuated the items in an official vehicle. However, while withdrawing from the area, the officers were ambushed by a large mob armed with Dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms in a bid to recover the seized goods.
According to the Command, the officers maintained composure and successfully repelled the attack after an intense confrontation that lasted about 30 minutes. During the clash, one of the assailants was injured and later died, while a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was arrested and is currently under investigation.
The Command said the incident came barely a week after a similar attack at Akokoro area of Iwoye in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, where two officers sustained life-threatening injuries and are still receiving medical care.
It linked the growing violence to intensified anti-smuggling operations, which have resulted in major seizures of arms, ammunition, narcotics, and other prohibited items in the area.
Reacting to the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack, described it as barbaric and an assault on the rule of law.
He warned that the Nigeria Customs Service would not be deterred by criminal elements, stressed that all those involved in the attack would be tracked and brought to justice.
Afeni also assured law-abiding members of the public of the Command’s commitment to their safety and the strict enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
