Nigerian Customs Personnel Allegedly Kill Suspected Smuggler in Ogun, Triggering Unrest

Nigerian Customs Personnel Allegedly Kill Suspected Smuggler in Ogun, Triggering Unrest

By: Zagazola Makama

A shooting incident involving Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) personnel has led to the death of a suspected smuggler and injuries to two others, triggering violent protests in Igbeme Village, Ogun State.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 9, 2025, at about 9:30 a.m. when NCS operatives opened fire on a group of suspected smugglers transporting foreign contraband parboiled rice from the Republic of Benin into Nigeria on motorcycles.

One of the smugglers, identified as Bidemi Ogunola, also known as Ofe, was fatally shot, while two others sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Following the shooting, angry youths in the area mobilized in large numbers and launched attacks on Customs and other security agencies’ checkpoints, setting some structures ablaze.

Upon receiving reports of the unrest, troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies were deployed to the scene to restore order. Local youth leaders and community elders intervened to pacify the protesters, and the situation was eventually brought under control

Nigerian Customs Personnel Allegedly Kill Suspected Smuggler in Ogun, Triggering Unrest