Customs Anti-Smuggling Operation Turns Deadly in Ogun State

By Love Oydokun

Abeokuta, Ogun State – February 2, 2026 – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has reported a second violent attack on its officers in less than a week, highlighting the increasingly dangerous environment faced by law enforcement personnel in the region. The latest incident occurred during an anti-smuggling operation in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Cablenews24 reports that according to a statement released by the command’s Public Relation Officer, DSC Zakari Chado, the incident took place around 0600 hours on Saturday, January 31, 2026. Customs officers on a routine patrol intercepted a convoy of motorcycles transporting smuggled foreign parboiled rice along a bush path at Alapoti. A total of forty-six (46) bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice were seized and loaded into an official patrol vehicle.

As the team withdrew from the scene, they were ambushed by a large mob armed with dangerous weapons, including Dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms. The attackers launched a coordinated assault in an attempt to overwhelm the patrol team and recover the seized items.

The Customs officers managed to repel the attack after an intense exchange that lasted approximately thirty minutes. During the confrontation, one of the assailants was injured and later died from his injuries. A suspect claiming ownership of the seized rice was apprehended and is currently under investigation.

This incident follows a similar attack just one week prior, where two Customs officers sustained life-threatening injuries in the Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area. Those officers are still receiving medical care.

The Ogun I Area Command believes that the recent surge in attacks on its personnel is directly linked to the renewed and intensified anti-smuggling operations in the area. These operations have resulted in significant seizures of arms, ammunition, narcotics, and other prohibited items, prompting a violent response from criminal elements seeking to undermine lawful enforcement and national security.

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Reacting strongly to the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack as barbaric and an assault on the rule of law.

“This attack is unacceptable and will not deter us from carrying out our statutory mandate,” Deputy Comptroller Afeni stated. “We will identify those involved and bring them to justice. We remain committed to the safety of law-abiding members of the public and the enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.”

The Ogun I Area Command has vowed to continue its anti-smuggling efforts despite the increased risk of violence, emphasizing its commitment to protecting the nation’s borders and enforcing the law. The command has also called on community leaders and residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in combating smuggling and other criminal activities.

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