Suspected Smugglers Launch Another Attack on Operatives of Ogun 1 Command

ZAINAB JUNAID 

Anti-Smuggling operation is gradually getting intense along Idiroko border as officers of Ogun 1 Area Command, Nigeria Customs Service, faced another attack by suspected Smugglers at about 6pm on Saturday, 31 January 2026, while on a routine patrol along a bush path, Alapoti in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

This is barely one week after a similar attack was carried out by another suspected armed traffickers at Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, leaving two officers of the command in a critical health condition.

In the latest assault, the officers successfully repelled the attack after an intense exchange that lasted about thirty minutes, with one of the assailants sustaining injury and a suspect apprehended.

This was contained in a statement made available to Journalists by the Command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Zakari Chado, for the Acting Customs Area Controller, on Saturday.

According to the statement, the officers intercepted a convoy of motorcycles conveying 46 bags of 50kg smuggled foreign parboiled rice, but were ambushed by large armed Smugglers with dangerous weapons, including Dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms.

“A total of forty-six (46) bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice were seized and evacuated into an official patrol vehicle as the team exited the location.

“While withdrawing from the scene, the officers were suddenly ambushed by a large mob armed with dangerous weapons, including Dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms, in a coordinated attempt to overwhelm the patrol team and recover the seized items.

“The officers maintained composure and successfully repelled the attack after an intense exchange that lasted about thirty 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 currently undergoing investigation,” the statement partly reads.

The Command linked the repeated attack to the renewed and intensified anti-smuggling operations, which have led to significant seizures of arms, ammunition, narcotics, and other prohibited items within it’s area of jurisdiction.

“These violent reactions underscore the determination of criminal elements to resist lawful enforcement and undermine national security,” the command says.

Reacting 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.

He reaffirmed that such resistance will not deter the Command or the Service from carrying out its statutory mandate, warning that those involved will be identified and brought to justice.

DC Afeni also assured law-abiding members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to their safety and enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.