Customs Officers Attacked Again in Ogun During Anti-Smuggling Operation

By Zainab Uzomah

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun I Area Command says its officers have come under violent attack for the second time in one week during an anti-smuggling operation in the state.

In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Zakari Chado, the latest incident occurred at about 06:00 on Saturday along a bush path in Alapoti, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. Officers had intercepted a convoy of motorcycles ferrying smuggled foreign parboiled rice and seized 46 bags of 50kg rice before being ambushed.

According to the statement, a large mob armed with Dane guns, stones, bottles and charms launched a coordinated assault on the patrol team in an attempt to retrieve the confiscated items. The confrontation reportedly lasted about 30 minutes, during which the officers repelled the attack. One of the assailants was injured and later died, while a suspect claiming ownership of the rice was arrested and is now under investigation.

The Command linked the rise in violent resistance to its intensified anti-smuggling operations, which it says have recently led to major seizures of arms, ammunition, narcotics and other prohibited goods. It described the attacks as an attempt by criminal networks to obstruct law enforcement and undermine national security.

Reacting to the incident, Acting Area Controller Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni condemned the assault, calling it “barbaric” and an attack on the rule of law. He said the Command would not be deterred and vowed that those responsible would be identified and prosecuted. He also assured residents of the Command’s commitment to public safety and full enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.