Suspected smugglers have killed a senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) during an ambush in Ogun State, underscoring the risks faced by operatives engaged in border enforcement.
The deceased, Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC I) Mustapha Akiyode, was fatally shot in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, along the Ilara–Ijoun axis in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area—a border corridor notorious for smuggling activities.
Confirming the incident in a statement posted on its official X handle on Friday, the Nigeria Customs Service said the officer was killed in the line of duty by suspected smugglers.
“The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘A’, announces with deep regret the loss of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of Customs Mustapha Akiyode, who was shot during an ambush by suspected smugglers while on official duty in Ogun State,” the Service stated.
Reacting to the killing, the Comptroller of FOU Zone ‘A’, Gambo Aliyu, described the incident as “a sobering reminder of the dangers faced daily by officers engaged in border security operations.”
Aliyu spoke during a briefing where he unveiled a renewed intelligence-driven anti-smuggling strategy, which he said has already produced significant operational gains across the Command’s area of responsibility.
According to the Comptroller, the strategy led to the interception of 144 smuggling attempts involving various prohibited and uncustomed goods. Items seized include 6,954 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 77 bags of foreign sugar, 21 units of used vehicles, 3,362 jerrycans of vegetable oil, 20,700 litres of premium motor spirit (PMS), 915 bales of used clothing, and 581 used refrigerator compressors classified as hazardous waste under Nigerian law and international conventions. Also intercepted was a 20-foot container laden with stone-coated aluminium roofing sheets.
“Upon assumption of duty a few weeks ago, I made it clear that we would confront smuggling syndicates with renewed vigour, professionalism, and absolute respect for the rule of law and human dignity,” Aliyu said.
In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking, he disclosed that officers of the Unit also intercepted 3,029 parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica, weighing a total of 1,431 kilograms. He noted that the seizure significantly disrupted drug supply routes within the Command’s operational corridor.
Aliyu warned that drug trafficking fuels banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities, urging offenders to abandon the illicit trade or face the full weight of the law.
“Drug trafficking fuels insecurity by providing chemical catalysts such as methamphetamine and other substances that embolden criminal elements and destabilise society. Those involved must either embrace legitimate trade or be prepared to face the consequences,” he warned.
Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures, which have a combined Duty Paid Value (DPV) of ₦3.32 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. The NDLEA commended the Customs Service for its diligence and assured that the narcotics would be disposed of in accordance with the law.
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2026-02-05