A routine anti-smuggling patrol by the Nigeria Customs Service in Ogun State turned violent on Saturday after officers were ambushed by armed assailants along a bush route in Alapoti, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
The confrontation occurred in the early hours of the morning when operatives attached to the Ogun I Area Command intercepted motorcycles transporting smuggled foreign rice into the area, according to officials.
During the operation, customs officers recovered dozens of bags of prohibited foreign parboiled rice and moved swiftly to evacuate the items from the location to prevent interference.
However, the situation deteriorated as the patrol attempted to exit the area.
A large group of attackers, reportedly armed with locally made guns, stones, bottles and suspected charms, descended on the officers in what authorities believe was an effort to forcefully reclaim the seized goods.
Despite being outnumbered, the customs team resisted the assault and managed to repel the attackers after a prolonged clash that lasted close to half an hour.
A spokesperson for the command, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Zakari Chado, said one of the attackers sustained fatal injuries during the exchange, while another individual who claimed ownership of the confiscated rice was arrested at the scene.
“The officers acted within the law to protect themselves, government property and the integrity of the operation,” Chado said, adding that investigations were ongoing.
Moreover, the Ogun I Area Command linked the repeated attacks on its personnel to intensified enforcement against smuggling networks operating along the state’s border communities.
Customs authorities described the assaults as deliberate attempts by organised groups to undermine law enforcement efforts and disrupt national economic and security interests.
Reacting to the incident, Acting Area Controller of the command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack and warned that violence against security agencies would not be tolerated.
“This is a direct challenge to the rule of law,” Afeni said.
“Our officers will not be intimidated. We remain fully committed to enforcing the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and safeguarding our communities.”
Furthermore, the command reassured residents of its determination to sustain anti-smuggling operations across Ogun State, while urging the public to cooperate with security agencies by sharing credible intelligence.