Officers, civilian escape death as Customs clash with smugglers in Ogun

Some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command and a civilian have escaped death following a violent clash between the law enforcement agents and suspected smugglers.

The ugly incident, which occurred on Tuesday, took place around Ukere village in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun state.

The command's Public Relations Officer, Hammed Oloyede, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that officers succeeded in intercepting Twenty eight (28) bags of 50kg each of foreign parboiled rice smuggled with motorcycles.

Oloyede added that the civilian, who was assisting the team in the evacuation of the seized items, was hit by one of the thrown broken bottles and was immediately rushed to the hospital where he received medical attention.

According to the statement, "On their (Officer's) way out of the area of arrest, some unscrupulous elements suspected to be diehard smugglers in their numbers shot sporadically at Officers, threw broken bottles and also attacked with axes.

"Officers repelled the attacks and managed their way out of the area.

"Unfortunately, one patriotic youth who was assisting the team in the evacuation of the seized items was hit by one of the thrown broken bottles and was immediately rushed to the hospital where he received medical attention.

"One of our official vehicles was equally pelted with bullets (pictures attached).

"The team gallantly succeeded in conveying the aforementioned items to the Government Warehouse for safe keeping and investigation is ongoing to fish out the perpetrators of this barbaric act.

Meanwhile, the Customs Area Controller, Ojobo Michael Agbara, assured members of the public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter the Officers and Men of the Command from discharging their legitimate duties.

He also appeal to parents and guardians to warn their children or wards to desist from being used by daredevil smugglers.

Agbara warned that anyone caught in any nefarious activity will face the full wrath of the law.

Boys are not smiling, Thank God no life was lost

hmmmm

Ogun State?
Do you want to become the capital of Kaduna?
Evil and bad news seems to be their daily bread

Hmmmmm.