Suspected Smugglers Open Fire on Customs Patrol in Ogun

Suspected Smugglers Open Fire on Customs Patrol in Ogun

Suspected armed smugglers have attacked officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during an anti-smuggling operation in Ogun State, leaving two customs personnel critically injured and raising fresh concerns over border insecurity in the South-West.

The incident occurred at Akokoro, Iwoye area of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, where customs operatives, acting on intelligence, intercepted a 12-tyre truck conveying suspected illicit goods. Before reinforcements could arrive, the patrol team was confronted by armed suspects who mounted barricades and opened fire on the officers.

During the attack, the assailants reportedly shot out the tyres of a Customs vehicle, forcing the operatives to withdraw. The attackers later escaped with the intercepted truck, while the injured officers were rushed to a medical facility for urgent treatment.

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Confirming the incident, the Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service condemned the assault, describing it as a direct attack on the authority of the state. Customs authorities said investigations have commenced to track down the smugglers and dismantle the criminal network behind the attack.

The incident comes amid a surge in smuggling activities, armed resistance and violent attacks on security operatives along Nigeria’s borders. In recent months, customs formations in Ogun and other border states have recorded multiple seizures of contraband goods, firearms and ammunition, highlighting the growing sophistication of smuggling syndicates.

Security experts warn that unchecked smuggling not only undermines the economy but also fuels wider insecurity, as criminal networks increasingly resort to violence to protect illegal trade routes. They have called for stronger inter-agency collaboration, improved intelligence gathering and enhanced border surveillance to protect officers and curb cross-border crime.

Despite the attack, the Nigeria Customs Service has reiterated its resolve to continue enforcement operations, assuring the public that anti-smuggling efforts will not be derailed by criminal intimidation.

Suspected Smugglers Open Fire on Customs Patrol in Ogun