Customs Kill Smuggler at Idiroko Border over Smuggled Rice

By ZION Olalekan |

There was pandemonium around Idiroko borders yesterday as officers of the Nigeria Customs Service clashed with dare devil smugglers, resulting in the death of an unidentified smuggler who was transporting smuggled parboiled rice in vehicles.

Eye witness account states that the incident occurred at Adisba, a settlement after Owode-Yewa when coming from Idiroko heading to Atan area of Ogun State.

The serious fracas subsequently disturbed vehicular movement at Idiroko road for several hours.

Responding in a statement however, Public Relations Officer of the command, Abdullahi Maiwada who gave an official account of the event said an anti-smuggling team attached to the Ogun Command intercepted some vehicles loaded with smuggled parboiled rice at Adisba at about 6pm on Thursday.

According to him, the prohibited items were suspected to have emanated from Ado-Odo in Ota area of Ogun State.

He said “In an effort to secure the seizure as usual, some hoodlums attacked our officers on legitimate duty in a pervasive effort to obstruct the seizure.

“A careful analysis of the situation coupled with nature of the terrain famous in creating chaos to scuttle the protection of society against economic saboteurs necessitated a tactical retreat to avoid any casualty.

“Furthermore, the team immediately called for reinforcement. The prompt response by the reinforcement teams in conjunction with other Sister Agencies brought the situation under control.

“Information available to us revealed that no casualty was recorded and our operatives have fortified the area to ensure that law and order prevail” he said.