One dies as smugglers engage Ogun Customs personnel in gun battle

One person has been reported dead following a gun battle between personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area 1 command and suspected smugglers.

The incident reportedly took place at Olajogun in Oja-Odan area of Ilaro in Ogun State.

According to statement by the spokesman of the command, Hammed Oloyede, the Joint Border Drill Operatives stationed at area had intercepted several kegs of 25 litres capacity of Petroleunm Motor Spirit (PMS) destined for smuggling outside Nigeria.

He disclosed that in an attempt to seize the said petroleum products in contravention with schedule six of Common External Tariff, some smugglers armed with assorted dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, guns and charms unleashed deadly attack against lawful Officers leading to a crossfire.

According to him, "in the ensuing exchange of fire between smugglers and the patrol team, one Tunde Alabe (male), a native of Ohunbe community also involved in the attack sustain a gun injury leading to his untimely death.

"This unfortunate incident led to the blockage of Oja-Odan/Obelle Road by a syndicated armed smugglers/hoodlums.

"They further advanced there hostilities by burning down all Customs Checkpoints and that of sister security agencies from Olajogun to Hanger and Ohunbe Areas of Ogun state.

"As at the time of writing this report, the properties and items destroyed by the smugglers/hoodlums include Two Customs Patrol Toyota Hilux, one patrol Toyota Hilux belonging to Nigeria Immigration, one Mercedes Benz SUV, one Peugeot 20, Four Motorcycles belonging to Nigeria Immigration, Original credentials and other documents belonging to two Customs personnel, buildings and many other patrol points.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Peter Chado Kolo, has however vowed to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident and promised to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to book.

He further appealed to traditional rulers, opinion moulders and eminent personalities on the need to dissuade our teaming youths from seeing smuggling as means of livelihood.

He said, "the protection of the society against socio-economic ills usually compounded by smuggling is a collective course we should all join force to fight against".