At least one person was confirmed dead over the weekend after a gun battle that ensued between a particular smuggling cartel and men of the anti-smuggling operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Idiroko Border.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday at Alapoti villa, in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state, witnessed the NCS personnel of the Command, who were on a routine anti-smuggling patrol along a bush path in the area, coming under a violent attack, launched against them by the smuggling cartel.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the Customs operatives had earlier intercepted a motorcycle smuggling convoy carrying not less than 46 bags of foreign parboiled rice, smuggled into the country through the bush path under the cover of night.
The contraband, each weighing 50kg, was, however, confiscated and loaded into the team’s NCS patrol vehicle for onward movement to their office.
But while withdrawing from the scene of the seizure, the smuggling syndicate, armed with a series of dangerous weapons, which included dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms, who had ambushed the operatives, launched a surprise coordinated attack on the customs in an attempt to overwhelm the patrol team and recover the seized items.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (CPRO), DSC Zakari Chado, in a statement issued on Sunday, explained that the Customs officers maintained their composure and successfully repelled the attack after an intense gun battle lasting about 30 minutes.
“During the confrontation, one of the assailants got injured and succumbed to his injuries, while a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was apprehended and is currently undergoing investigation.
“The Command observes that the recent spate of attacks on its personnel is directly linked to the renewed and intensified anti-smuggling operations, which have led to significant seizures of arms, ammunition, narcotics, and other prohibited items within the area of responsibility.
Meanwhile, LEADERSHIP noted that last Saturday’s attack on Customs operatives would be the second incident in the year 2026, barely one week after a similar attack by suspected smugglers at Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, where two officers sustained life-threatening injuries and are still receiving medical care.
Reacting to the incident, however, the Acting Customs Area Controller (Ag. CAC), Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric and an assault on the rule of law”.
Afeni, however, reaffirmed that such attacks will not deter officers of the Command from carrying out its statutory mandate, stressing that those involved will be identified and brought to justice.
Afeni further assured law-abiding members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to their safety and the enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
