The Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun State, DC Olukayode Afeni has condemned the recent acts of attacks on his officers as barbaric and reaffirmed that such violent resistance will not deter the Command or the Service from discharging its statutory mandate to combat smuggling and protect national security. It could be recalled that in a deliberate effort to obstruct law enforcement, some desperate smugglers attacked officers of Ogun 1 Command after mounting heavy barricades at about nine (9) strategic points to block access routes, preventing timely reinforcement. They opened fire on the officers and disabled a Customs patrol vehicle by shooting out its tyres, creating a volatile and dangerous operational environment. The Command confirmed the violent attack on some of its officers by these suspected armed drug traffickers during an anti-smuggling operation at Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Thursday, 22 January 2026, at about 1600 hours. During the exchange, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service sustained gunshot injuries and are currently in critical condition, receiving intensive medical care. Exploiting the multiple barricades, the smugglers fled the scene with the intercepted truck. The incident which according to the report reaching this media through DSC Zakari Chado, the Command's Public Relations Officer, occurred while officers of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a 12-tyre truck suspected to be conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs and other prohibited items. Before reinforcement teams could arrive, the suspects mobilized a large number of armed hoodlums and launched a coordinated attack on the patrol team. Investigation has commenced to identify, track, and apprehend all those involved in the attack. He at this point commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, his management team, officers of the Command, sister agencies, host communities, and compliant traders for their support. He assured the public that the Ogun I Area Command will remain resolute in boosting revenue generation, suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade, and contributing to national economic growth in 2026.
“We have started 2026 on a strong footing, and we are determined to surpass our 2025 revenue performance. No amount of intimidation, force or threat will deter us from doing what we are employed to do. We will continue to confront the challenges that militate against our successes and build on the achievements made so far in the course of carrying out our mandate. “This monumental Seizure is very commendable at the backdrop of the heightened insecurity in the land. Should One Thousand three Hundred and fifteen explosives and Two Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Eight round of lives ammunition of this magnitude escaped into the country and fall into wrong hands, the consequences will be devastating. “We’re off to a great start in 2026, and we’re determined to exceed our 2025 performance. No threats or intimidation will stop us from doing our job. We’ll keep tackling challenges and building on our achievements” he said. According to another report reaching this media, the Command has recorded another violent assault on its officers 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. "The latest incident occurred at about 0600 hours on Saturday, 31 January 2026, when officers of the Command, on a routine anti-smuggling patrol along a bush path at Alapoti in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, intercepted a convoy of motorcycles conveying smuggled foreign parboiled
rice. 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 report reads. These actions of these deadly smugglers are 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. These violent reactions underscore the determination of criminal elements to resist lawful enforcement and undermine national security. "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, while assuring law-abiding members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to their safety and the enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023," the report finally warned.
The Acting Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun State, DC Olukayode Afeni has condemned the recent acts of attacks on his officers as barbaric and reaffirmed that such violent resistance will not deter the Command or the Service from discharging its statutory mandate to combat smuggling and protect national security. It could be recalled that in a deliberate effort to obstruct law enforcement, some desperate smugglers attacked officers of Ogun 1 Command after mounting heavy barricades at about nine (9) strategic points to block access routes, preventing timely reinforcement. They opened fire on the officers and disabled a Customs patrol vehicle by shooting out its tyres, creating a volatile and dangerous operational environment. The Command confirmed the violent attack on some of its officers by these suspected armed drug traffickers during an anti-smuggling operation at Akokoro area of Iwoye, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Thursday, 22 January 2026, at about 1600 hours. During the exchange, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service sustained gunshot injuries and are currently in critical condition, receiving intensive medical care. Exploiting the multiple barricades, the smugglers fled the scene with the intercepted truck. The incident which according to the report reaching this media through DSC Zakari Chado, the Command's Public Relations Officer, occurred while officers of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a 12-tyre truck suspected to be conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs and other prohibited items. Before reinforcement teams could arrive, the suspects mobilized a large number of armed hoodlums and launched a coordinated attack on the patrol team. Investigation has commenced to identify, track, and apprehend all those involved in the attack. He at this point commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD, his management team, officers of the Command, sister agencies, host communities, and compliant traders for their support. He assured the public that the Ogun I Area Command will remain resolute in boosting revenue generation, suppressing smuggling, facilitating legitimate trade, and contributing to national economic growth in 2026. “We have started 2026 on a strong footing, and we are determined to surpass our 2025 revenue performance. No amount of intimidation, force or threat will deter us from doing what we are employed to do. We will continue to confront the challenges that militate against our successes and build on the achievements made so far in the course of carrying out our mandate. “This monumental Seizure is very commendable at the backdrop of the heightened insecurity in the land. Should One Thousand three Hundred and fifteen explosives and Two Thousand One Hundred and Twenty Eight round of lives ammunition of this magnitude escaped into the country and fall into wrong hands, the consequences will be devastating. “We’re off to a great start in 2026, and we’re determined to exceed our 2025 performance. No threats or intimidation will stop us from doing our job. We’ll keep tackling challenges and building on our achievements” he said. According to another report reaching this media, the Command has recorded another violent assault on its officers 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. "The latest incident occurred at about 0600 hours on Saturday, 31 January 2026, when officers of the Command, on a routine anti-smuggling patrol along a bush path at Alapoti in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, intercepted a convoy of motorcycles conveying smuggled foreign parboiled rice. 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 report reads. These actions of these deadly smugglers are 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. These violent reactions underscore the determination of criminal elements to resist lawful enforcement and undermine national security. "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, while assuring law-abiding members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to their safety and the enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023," the report finally warned.
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