By: Peace udugba -The daily torch media
Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, have repelled a second violent attack by suspected smugglers within one week during an anti-smuggling operation in Ogun State.
The latest incident occurred around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, along a bush path at Alapoti in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. Customs officers on routine patrol intercepted motorcycles transporting smuggled foreign parboiled rice and seized 46 bags of 50kg each.
As the officers withdrew from the area with the seized items, they were ambushed by a large mob armed with Dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms in an apparent attempt to recover the goods.
The officers fought their way out of the ambush after a confrontation that lasted about 30 minutes. One of the attackers was injured during the clash and later died, while a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was arrested and is currently under investigation.
The attack came barely a week after a similar incident at Akokoro in Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, where suspected smugglers assaulted Customs officers, leaving two personnel with life-threatening injuries. The injured officers remain on medical care.
Customs authorities linked the renewed attacks to intensified enforcement operations across the command, which have resulted in major seizures of smuggled goods, arms, ammunition, and narcotics.
Reacting to the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack, warning that violence against officers would not halt enforcement operations. He said those behind the attacks would be identified and prosecuted, assuring residents of the Command’s continued commitment to security and strict enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
