Smugglers Defy Lock down In Ogun, maim Customs officer

Abiola Seun

Suspected smugglers have attacked operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service Ogun 1 Command leaving an officer badly injured.

In a press statement made available to nigeriamaritime360 on Sunday, the command’s spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada said the attack did not deter the officers from their anti-smuggling functions.

Maiwada said the remorseless smugglers violently attacked the officers while on official duty.

“At 7:30p.m. Friday, May 8, officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Command went on information patrol to Ilashe village in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun state.

“They succeeded in intercepting thirty-five (35) bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each ferried by a convoy of motorcyclists (popularly known as okada). On their way out of the area, the diehard smugglers mobilised themselves in an overwhelming number, launching a vicious attack with assorted weapons on Officers performing their lawful duties.

“Eventually, one Assistant Superintendent of Customs, Chidi Johnson, was brutally matcheted, sustaining deep cuts in various parts of his body.

“The seriously wounded Officer was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention, and luckily he is responding to treatment.

“To this end, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently undergoing interrogation.

“It is instructive to note that Friday 8 May, 2020 was a date set aside for total lockdown in Ogun state due to the surge of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We find it unfortunate and strange, that the daredevil smugglers who have no regards for laws of the land or the disease ravaging the global community resorted to crossing the border through illegal routes to perpetrate such nefarious activities in total disregard for the health and economic well-being of Nigerians.

“We seize this opportunity to enjoin the faceless unpatriotic smuggling cartels to stop using uninformed youths as cannon fodders in their nefarious trade.

“We challenge them to bring their own biological children to attack personnel of the Service and have a taste of the consequences of such act”.