A combined team of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, officers and soldiers on special duty were overpowered by a mob in Agbara, Ogun State, during an operation to intercept a vehicle suspected of conveying cannabis.

The incident was made known on Monday in a post on X by counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama.

Makama disclosed that the incident occurred on Sunday when the team, stationed at Church Gate checkpoint along the Badagry–Lagos Expressway, attempted to stop a bus suspected to be transporting the illicit substance.

According to reports, the bus driver defied the order to stop and sped off, prompting the patrol team led by one Inspector Ejeh giving the suspect a chase, with military support from soldiers attached to the Seme Command.

“The chase extended into the Agbara community, where the officers attempted to apprehend the fleeing suspects. However, an irate mob reportedly resisted the arrest, overpowering the patrol team and enabling the suspect to escape.

“While the customs personnel managed to retreat, Sgt. Mohammed was left behind and surrounded by the mob before intervention arrived,” Makama said.

He added that army troops reinforcements were swiftly deployed to the scene, rescuing the soldier and restoring order.

The situation in Agbara was said to be calm as police and military patrols continued to monitor the area.