The Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has dismissed reports that smugglers barricaded the Idiroko–Sango Ota road, attributing the disruption to a trailer accident and severe road damage. The command said a commercial trailer fell into a badly damaged section of Atan Road, causing a temporary obstruction and triggering a major traffic gridlock.
It clarified that the vehicles caught in the congestion were legitimate commercial trucks transporting red palm oil to local markets and had no connection with smuggling activities. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Zakari Chado, said the large number of heavy-duty vehicles trapped in the traffic may have led to the false reports.
“The reports that smugglers blocked the road are inaccurate. The disruption resulted from a road accident and poor road conditions. The vehicles involved were lawful commercial vehicles transporting red palm oil for legitimate trade,” Chado said. The command urged journalists, social media users and members of the public to verify information before circulating reports capable of causing unnecessary panic or undermining confidence in security agencies.