By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The traditional ruler and Ooye of Iwoye-Ketu, Oba Isaac Adegbenro Oyero, has attributed the incessant cross – border crimes, including the recent brutal attack on two operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), to a large swathe of ungoverned lands in Ogun communities with the neighbouring Republic of Benin.
The Daily Crucible reports that Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has recorded yet another violent encounter involving its officers in Ogun State and some armed persons, coming days after two of its operatives were attacked and injured in Iwoye – Ketu in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area.
The fresh attack happened at about 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, when operatives of the Ogun I Area Command on a routine anti-smuggling patrol through a bush route in Alapoti, within Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
It was learnt that the patrol team intercepted motorcycles conveying smuggled rice and seized 46 bags of 50-kg of parboiled rice during the operation and evacuated them to their patrol vehicle.
However, when the team attempted to leave the area, armed individuals believed to be owners of the intercepted items attacked the NCS operatives with dane guns, stones, bottles and charms, ostensibly to reclaim the confiscated goods.
One person was feared kílled while one other was arrested during the violent confrontation
Speaking on the heels of the attacks on customs officials, particularly the one that allegedly occurred in his domain, described as “shocking and alien,” the allegation that a 12-tyre truck was transporting illicit drug through his Iwoye Ketu domain.
Speaking through a statement on Sunday by Prince Abel Babatunde, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, the monarch reason said he and his people are fully in support of the investigation announced by the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service to ascertain the truth about the matter.
He noted the incident must be situated within its proper local and security context, recalling that for decades, the people of Iwoye-Ketu have repeatedly called on government at all levels to strengthen security presence in his domain without response from the appropriate quarters.
The monarch called the security authorities to urgently establish a fully equipped and operational security base in Iwoye-Ketu, similar to what exists on the Beninese side, emphasizing that the measure if taken would not only protect his people but also strengthen Nigeria’s border security and disrupt the activities of transnational criminals.
He said, “The incident must be placed within its proper local and security context. Iwoye-Ketu is an ancient Yoruba town, established long before the 17th century, located at a sensitive international border between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, and also sharing boundaries with Oyo State. Within this vast border space are large expanses of ungoverned and under-policed lands, including forest reserves and abandoned farmlands. Over the years, these areas have unfortunately become hideouts and transit routes for criminal elements, some of whom operate across national borders.
“For decades, the people of Iwoye-Ketu have repeatedly called on government at all levels to strengthen security presence in our area. We have suffered attacks ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping, and even killings of farmers by armed herders. At present, the entire community—home to over 25,000 people based on the 2006 census—is being served by only three poorly equipped police officers, while a newly built police station remains largely unoccupied due to logistical constraints. This vacuum has left large parts of our territory dangerously exposed.
“While it is an open secret that cross-border trade in items such as rice and fuel exists along this corridor—as is the case in many Nigerian border towns—the allegation that a 12-tyre truck was transporting illicit drugs through our area is shocking and alien to the history and character of Iwoye-Ketu. Such a large-scale and dangerous criminal enterprise does not reflect the values, activities, or traditions of our people.
“For this reason, we fully support the investigation announced by the Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service. Like the Customs Service, the Iwoye-Ketu community also seeks to know:
Who were these individuals? Where did they come from? Where were they bringing the items from? And where were they taking them to? These are critical questions not only for justice, but for national security.
“We wish to state categorically that Iwoye-Ketu indigenes and residents are law-abiding people who have, over the years, cooperated actively with security agencies to maintain peace and stability. Our community has even paid a painful price in this effort. In 2022, “Kabiru Ogunrinde,” one of our sons, lost his life while supporting law-enforcement efforts. Such sacrifices underscore our commitment to the rule of law and public safety.
“The unfortunate reality remains that the porosity of the Iwoye-Ketu border allows foreign criminal elements to move in and out with relative ease, taking advantage of the limited presence of Nigerian security agencies. Ironically, much of the security stability presently enjoyed in some parts of the area is due to the well-equipped Beninese police force stationed on the Republic of Benin side of the border, rather than from within Nigeria itself. The nearest Nigerian security response point is in Imeko, about 20 kilometres away, while some of the affected border areas are much farther and practically unreachable during emergencies.
“In view of this latest incident, we once again appeal to the Federal Government and all relevant security authorities to urgently establish a fully equipped and operational security base in Iwoye-Ketu, similar to what exists on the Beninese side. Doing so will not only protect our people but also strengthen Nigeria’s border security and disrupt the activities of transnational criminal networks.
“Iwoye-Ketu remains a peaceful, law-abiding and patriotic community. We stand with the Nigerian Customs Service and all lawful security agencies in their efforts to combat crime, and we reaffirm our readiness to continue working with them to keep our land safe.”
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