The Nigeria Customs Service Federal Operations Unit Zone A has confirmed the death of one of its officers Assistant Superintendent of Customs Mustapha Akiyode who was fatally shot by suspected smugglers during an ambush in Ogun State.
Akiyode was ed in the early hours of Tuesday February 3 2026 while on official duty along the Ilara Ijoun axis in Imeko Afon Local Government Area. The area is known as a major border corridor with frequent smuggling activities.
In a statement shared on the agency official X page on Friday the Comptroller of FOU Zone A Gambo Aliyu described the incident as a painful reminder of the dangers faced by officers tasked with border enforcement. He spoke during his maiden press briefing at the unit headquarters in Ikeja Lagos.
According to the statement the late officer was shot in the line of duty during an ambush by suspected smugglers. Aliyu expressed deep regret over the loss and extended condolences to the family of the deceased and the entire Customs community.
Despite the incident the Comptroller said the command has intensified its operations using a strengthened intelligence driven strategy to combat smuggling across its area of responsibility. He disclosed that the renewed approach has already resulted in significant successes.
Aliyu revealed that the command intercepted 144 smuggling attempts involving various prohibited and uncustomed goods. Items seized included thousands of bags of foreign rice sugar used vehicles vegetable oil premium motor spirit used clothing refrigerator compressors classified as hazardous waste and roofing materials.
He also announced a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking with the interception of over three thousand parcels of a synthetic strain of cannabis indica weighing more than one thousand kilograms. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the seizures which have a combined duty paid value of over three billion naira.
The seized drugs were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation. The Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Nigeria borders despite the risks faced by its officers.
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