Customs Officer shot dead by suspected Smugglers in ambush attack
Customs Officer shot dead by suspected Smugglers in ambush attack
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service has confirmed the death of Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC I) Mustapha Akiyode, who was killed during an ambush in Ogun State.
Akiyode was shot by suspected smugglers in the line of duty in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, along the Ilara–Ijoun axis in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area while participating in an anti-smuggling operation.
The Comptroller of FOU Zone A, Gambo Aliyu, announced the tragic incident during his maiden press briefing at the Unit’s headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, describing it as a “painful loss and a stark reminder of the dangers faced by officers enforcing Nigeria’s borders.”
Aliyu said the fallen officer “paid the ultimate price while defending the country against economic sabotage,” adding that the Unit remains resolute despite the tragedy.
“We lost a brave and committed officer in the course of duty. His sacrifice will not be forgotten, and it strengthens our resolve to intensify the fight against smuggling,” he said.
During the briefing, Aliyu unveiled a renewed intelligence-driven anti-smuggling strategy aimed at dismantling smuggling networks, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening border security across the South-West corridor. He explained that the strategy relies on intelligence gathering, targeted surveillance, and coordinated operations, which have already yielded significant results.
According to the Comptroller, FOU Zone A officers intercepted 144 smuggling attempts involving prohibited and uncustomed goods, including: 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 used vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing, 581 used refrigerator compressors, classified as hazardous waste under Nigerian law and international conventions,A 20-foot container loaded with stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets
“These seizures reflect the Unit’s renewed determination to disrupt smuggling syndicates and protect the Nigerian economy,” Aliyu said. “Upon assumption of duty, I made it clear that we would confront smugglers with renewed vigour, professionalism, and strict adherence to the rule of law and respect for human dignity.”
In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, Aliyu revealed that the Unit intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica weighing about 1,431 kilograms, significantly disrupting drug supply routes within the Command’s operational corridor.
“Drug trafficking emboldens criminal elements, erodes societal values, and destabilises the nation. Those involved should abandon this path and embrace legitimate trade, as our resolve to enforce the law remains firm,” he warned, noting the serious threat drugs pose to national security.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the various seizures, with the combined Duty Paid Value of the intercepted items estimated at N3.31 billion.
In line with inter-agency cooperation, the seized cannabis was handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution. Aliyu said the NDLEA commended the Customs Service for its professionalism and assured that the drugs would be disposed of according to legal procedures.
The Comptroller concluded by reaffirming the Unit’s commitment to intelligence-led operations, improved officer safety, and sustained collaboration with sister security agencies to combat smuggling and related crimes.
