At least one person was confirmed dead as smugglers again attacked customs operatives of the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Idiroko Border. The battle lasted for hours.

The Incident, which occurred on Saturday at Alapoti villa in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state, saw the NCS personnel of the Command, who were on a routine anti-smuggling patrol along a bush path in the area, come under a violent attack launched by the smuggling cartel.

It was reported 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 cover of night.

The contraband, each weighing 50 kg, 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, including dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms, ambushed the operatives and 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 Monday, 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 was injured and later succumbed to those injuries, while a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was apprehended and is currently under 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,” Chado said.

Recall 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.

Speaking about the incident, the Acting Customs Area Controller (Ag. CAC), Ogun I Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack, calling it “barbaric and an assault on the rule of law”.

Afeni, however, reaffirmed that such attacks will not deter command officers from carrying out their 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 to enforcing the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. (The Guardian)