- Suspected Smugglers Attack Customs Officers In Ogun.
- One attacker died while a suspect was arrested after rice seizure.
- Customs vows to sustain anti smuggling operations despite repeated attacks.
The Nigeria Customs Service in Ogun State has confirmed a fresh attack on its personnel by suspected smugglers along a bush path in Alapoti, Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening during a routine anti smuggling patrol by officers of the service. Customs officials said the patrol team intercepted a group conveying foreign parboiled rice on motorcycles and successfully seized 46 bags of the product, each weighing 50 kilograms.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that as officers attempted to exit the area with the seized items, they were reportedly ambushed by a mob armed with Dane guns, stones, bottles and other dangerous weapons. The assailants allegedly tried to forcefully recover the confiscated rice, leading to a violent confrontation.
The clash, according to Customs sources, lasted for about thirty minutes. During the encounter, one of the attackers sustained fatal injuries, while a suspect linked to the seized rice was arrested. The suspect has since been taken into custody and is currently under investigation.
The latest attack came barely a week after a similar incident at Akokoro in Imeko Afon Local Government Area, where suspected smugglers assaulted Customs officers, leaving two personnel injured.
Customs authorities linked the repeated attacks to intensified anti smuggling operations across the state. The command said recent enforcement efforts have resulted in multiple seizures of contraband items, including weapons, ammunition, narcotics and other prohibited goods.
The service reiterated that acts of violence against its personnel would not deter it from carrying out its statutory responsibilities. It assured residents that officers would continue to enforce trade and border regulations in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023.
The command also urged members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and report smuggling activities, warning that attacks on officers constitute serious criminal offences.
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