OGUN: Smugglers injure Customs officers in Fresh Attack

Tayo Oladipupo |

Hoodlums suspected to be smugglers on Friday obstructed a customs truck conveying seized items from Ilaro to government warehouse in Abeokuta at Papalanto area of the town and injured two officers.

The Customs Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the command, Abdullahi Maiwada said in a press release on Friday.

According to Maiwada, the attack which took place around 8 am saw the hoodlums pelting the officers with stones, bottles, cutlasses, sticks and other dangerous items.

He stated that even though no life was lost in the attack, the injured officers were receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in the state.

Maiwada added that three suspects were arrested in connection with the attack saying they are currently undergoing investigations at the Customs headquarters in Abeokuta.

The release read, “Officers of Nigeria Customs Service Ogun Command escorting seized smuggled rice from Ilaro navigating to Abeokuta Government Warehouse for safe keeping on Friday at about 0800hours were obstructed by a group of hoodlums (pelted our personnel with stones, bottles, cutlasses, sticks and other dangerous items).

“Our Officers restrained themselves by controlling the situation short of using force. On the arrival of reinforcement teams from Army, Police, Federal Operations Unit and Command teams, the hoodlums were overpowered but not before serious injuries were inflicted on two Customs Personnel who are currently responding to treatment in the hospital.

“In the face of the provocative hostility, Officers tactically succeeded in securing the seizures out of the scene in a professional manner thereby avoiding any loss of life.

“Meanwhile, Normalcy has since been restored with the intervention of reinforcement teams from Customs, Police and Military. Also, the seized items have been secured with three (3) suspects currently undergoing interrogation at Customs Command Headquarters.

Recall that an officer attached to the Command, Inspector of Custom Abdullahi Kuso was almost lynched at the same location on 7th of July, 2018 by a group of criminals who perceived smuggling as legitimate way of livelihood.

The command however commended the timely intervention of sister security agencies who collaborate with the officers to suppress smuggling in the area.

“Finally, we wish to commend the patriotic roles of our sister Agencies and law abiding citizens in assisting the Command to perform its lawful duty of revenue collection and suppression of smuggling in the interest of our dear country.

“We wish to categorically state that we will continue to prosecute the anti-smuggling crusade in spite of the unwarranted attacks. We want to use this medium to advise parents/guardians to warn their wards to desist from obstructing Customs Officers performing their legitimate duties as the Service will not hesitate to use appropriate force in the interest of the nation.