1 killed, several injured as smugglers attack Customs officers in Ogun

Tragedy struck in Ogun State on Saturday when a group of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers was ambushed by gunmen, resulting in the death of one assailant and leaving several others, including two officers, injured. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 31, 2026, after Customs officers intercepted a convoy of motorcycles […]

Tragedy struck in Ogun State on Saturday when a group of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officers was ambushed by gunmen, resulting in the death of one assailant and leaving several others, including two officers, injured.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 31, 2026, after Customs officers intercepted a convoy of motorcycles transporting smuggled rice in the Alapoti area of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Our correspondent learnt that the officers, who were on a routine anti-smuggling patrol, were suddenly attacked by a large, heavily armed mob as they attempted to withdraw from the scene with the seized goods.

The attackers, reportedly armed with Dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms, opened fire in a coordinated attempt to overwhelm the team and recover the contraband.

Daily Trust further learnt that during the intense 30-minute exchange, two officers sustained injuries. Several hoodlums were also wounded during the crossfire, and one of the assailants later succumbed to his injuries.

DSC Zakari Chado, the Public Relations Officer for the Ogun I Area Command, confirmed the incident, noting that this was the second violent assault on personnel in just one week.

Chado recalled a similar attack on January 25 at the Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, where two officers sustained life-threatening injuries; they remain under medical care.

“A total of 46 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice were seized and evacuated into an official patrol vehicle. While withdrawing, the officers were ambushed by a mob… The team successfully repelled the attack after an intense exchange,” Chado stated.

He added that a suspect claiming ownership of the seized rice has been apprehended and is currently undergoing investigation.

The Acting Customs Area Controller for the Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, described the attack as barbaric and a direct affront to the rule of law.

He emphasized that the recent spike in violence is a reaction to the Command’s intensified operations, which have led to significant seizures of arms, ammunition, and narcotics.

Afeni reaffirmed that such resistance would not deter the Service from its mandate.