By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has recorded another violent attack on its officers, barely one week after a similar assault by suspected smugglers at Akokoro area of Iwoye in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, where two officers sustained life threatening injuries and are still receiving medical treatment.

The latest incident occurred at about 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, when Customs officers on a routine anti-smuggling patrol along a bush path at Alapoti in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area intercepted a convoy of motorcycles conveying smuggled foreign parboiled rice.

During the operation, a total of forty-six (46) bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice were seized and evacuated into an official patrol vehicle as the officers withdrew from the area.

However, while exiting the location, the patrol team was suddenly ambushed by a large mob armed with dangerous weapons, including Dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms, in what appeared to be a coordinated attempt to overpower the officers and recover the seized items.

The officers reportedly remained composed and repelled the attack after an intense confrontation that lasted about thirty minutes. In the process, one of the assailants sustained injuries and later died, while a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was arrested and is currently undergoing investigation.

The Command noted that the recent spate of attacks on its personnel is linked to renewed and intensified anti-smuggling operations, which have resulted in significant seizures of arms, ammunition, narcotics, and other prohibited items within its area of responsibility.

Reacting to the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and a direct assault on the rule of law.

He assured that such acts would not deter the Service from discharging its statutory duties, warning that all those involved would be identified and brought to justice, while reaffirming the Command’s commitment to public safety and strict enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.