Controller narrates how Smugglers hijacked #EndSARS protest, killed Customs officer

The Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Ogun I Command, Michael Agbara on Thursday narrated how smugglers hijacked EndSARS protest at border areas of Ogun State and launched multiple attacks on the operatives.

Agbara said patrol bases were vandalised and set ablaze in various locations like Ija Odan, Ilaro, Ihunbo, Adisba, Owode, Ijoun and Imeko.

Speaking on the post EndSARS protest crisis at Idiroko on Thursday, the Area Controller said an officer, Solomon Alayge was murdered, two others injured while his personnels' uniforms and other valuables items were looted.

In what was described as premeditated attacks, Agbara said the smugglers used the period to embark on smuggling of rice and vehicles.

He, however, said the command reinforced with synergy from military and security agencies to beef up security at the border areas.

Agbara said the command upon restoring sanity recovered about 3,000 bags of rice, 1,875 litres f petrol among other contrabands earlier smuggled during the attacks.

According to him, the attacks were launched by smugglers in connivance with hoodlums in order to frustrate operations of the Customs officers, thereby paving ways for unchecked smuggling.

Agbara vowed that all the smugglers and hoodlums behind the attacks and killing of an officer would not go Scot-free.

"Their target was principally aimed at customs to leave the border areas for them to have unfettered access to smuggling. I can assure you that after restoration of the control we have recorded successes and recovered seizures.

"They have not gone scot free. We are still gathering intelligence of all them who took the advantage to smuggle in contrabands. Also, those who in one way or the other have hand in the killing of the officers, they will not go scot - free. they must be brought to book," Agbara vowed.

Speaking on the performances of the command in the third quarters, he said 420 seizures were made under the period including 37 sacks of cannabis sativa, 86 units of Vehicles, 11,146 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50 kg), 39 units of motorcycle, being used as means of conveying contrabands, 299, 450 litres of petrol, 1,225 litres of diesel and 127 kegs of palm oil.

Also confiscated are, 1,814 cartons of frozen poultry products, 24 sacks of pesticide, 10,775 pieces of different types of plastic rubber and 186 cartoons of crocodile machetes

He puts the Total Duty Paid Value of the items at N397,076,991.

Agbara added that while the NSC would continue to engage and dialogue with stakeholders on the economic implications of smuggling, the operatives would be be intimidated by attacks.

"Despite the precarious situation experienced recently by the Command, we will continue to dialogue, engage, sensitise and educate the public on social / economic implications of smuggling as well as performing statutory function of enforcing compliance in line with government fiscal policies.

"We wish to reiterate that the continued attack on operatives of NCS and other sister agencies will not deter us from the continued performance of our legitimate duties," he said.


END

Very sad. But really, Buhari should open the borders right now.

The border should be left opened, or what the heck is wrong with that cowardly cow. He is just making life miserable for the citizens. This man has got no business ruling this nation cos he’s a failure & he’s clueless