The Nigeria Customs Service in Ogun State says one person died during a violent confrontation involving suspected smugglers and mob attackers who assaulted its officers in the Ado-Odo/Ota LGA of the state.
Zakari Chado, public relations officer of the command, said in a statement issued late Saturday.
He said that he assault was unprovoked and came barely a week after suspected drug traffickers attacked Customs operatives in the Imeko-Afon LGA, where two officers sustained life-threatening injuries.
The command also confirmed the arrest of a suspect who claimed ownership of 46 bags of seized foreign parboiled rice recovered during the operation.
Chado said officers on routine anti-smuggling patrol on Saturday intercepted a motorcycle convoy conveying smuggled foreign parboiled rice along the Alapoti bush path area route.
He explained that 46 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice were seized and loaded into an official patrol vehicle as the officers began to withdraw from the area.
According to Chado, the operatives were ambushed while leaving the scene by a large mob armed with dane guns, stones, bottles, and charms in what he described as a coordinated attempt to overpower the patrol team and reclaim the seized items.
“The officers maintained composure and successfully repelled the attack after an intense exchange that lasted about 30 minutes,” he said.
“During the confrontation, one of the assailants sustained injuries and later died, while a suspect who claimed ownership of the seized rice was apprehended and is currently undergoing investigation.”
He linked the repeated attacks on Customs personnel to intensified anti-smuggling operations that have led to major seizures of arms, ammunition, narcotics, and other prohibited items across the command’s area of responsibility.
The spokesperson said the violent resistance reflected the determination of criminal networks to undermine lawful enforcement and threaten national security.
Reacting to the incident, Olukayode Afeni, acting customs area controller of the Ogun I Area Command, condemned the assault, describing it as “barbaric and an assault on the rule of law.”
Afeni said the attack would not deter the command from discharging its statutory duties and warned that all those involved would be identified and prosecuted.
He assured residents of the command’s continued commitment to public safety and strict enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
