Customs Officers Face Deadly Ambush in Ogun State During Anti-Smuggling Operation
Operatives from the Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) encountered a violent ambush while conducting a routine anti-smuggling patrol in the early hours of Saturday, January 31, 2026. The incident unfolded along a bush route in Alapoti, located within the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, marking another dangerous episode in the ongoing battle against illicit trade.
Details of the Confrontation and Seizure
According to a statement released by Deputy Superintendent of Customs Zakari Chado, the Public Relations Officer for the command, the patrol team had intercepted several motorcycles transporting smuggled foreign parboiled rice during their operation. In a significant seizure, the officers confiscated 46 bags of 50-kilogramme foreign parboiled rice, which were promptly loaded into an official patrol vehicle for evacuation. However, as the team attempted to depart the area, the situation escalated dramatically.
A large group of individuals, armed with Dane guns, stones, bottles, and suspected charms, launched a coordinated ambush in what authorities believe was an effort to reclaim the confiscated goods. The Customs officers reportedly held their ground, engaging in a fierce confrontation that lasted approximately 30 minutes before successfully repelling the attackers.
Casualties and Aftermath of the Attack
During the intense clash, one of the assailants sustained injuries and later succumbed to them, resulting in a fatality. Additionally, a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was arrested and is currently in custody for further investigation. This violent incident comes barely a week after a similar attack in the Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, which left two Customs personnel critically injured, highlighting a troubling pattern of aggression against law enforcement officials in the region.
Command's Response and Broader Implications
The Ogun I Area Command has attributed these recurring attacks to its sustained enforcement actions against smuggling activities, which have led to increased seizures of prohibited items in the area. In its statement, the command described the assaults as a calculated attempt by criminal networks to obstruct legitimate enforcement operations and undermine national security efforts. Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, strongly condemned the attack, labeling it a direct affront to the rule of law.
He emphasized that such acts of violence would not deter the service from performing its lawful duties, reaffirming the command's commitment to protecting lives, securing communities, and enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. This incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by Customs officers in combating smuggling and maintaining security in border regions.
