Ogun Customs arrest one as smugglers attack officers again

The Nigerian Customs Service, Ogun Area 1 command, has arrested a suspected smuggler, one Taiye Kujo and seized six motorcycles being used to convey contraband products.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Hammed Bukoye Oloyede.

According to the statement, officers of the command and other security operatives were attacked by daredevil smugglers at Oja-Odan in Yewa North local government area of the state.

“Based on credible intelligence, the patrol team intercepted about Three Hundred and Twenty (320) of bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg each out of the large number stockpiled in a building around the said area.

“During evacuation of the said rice, some diehard smugglers aided by unscrupulous elements and hoodlums in their numbers and armed with sophisticated weapons shot and attacked the patrol team.

“They shot sporadically at Officers. Unfortunately, four (4) Customs Operatives, one (1) Soldier and Five (5) civilians assisting in evacuation sustained gunshot injuries.

"They were immediately rushed to the hospital for proper medical attention and are currently responding to treatment (Pictures attached).

“The patrol team repressed the attack by gunning down two (2) of the hoodlums and left many others with gunshot injuries.

The patrol team succeeded in evacuating the aforementioned items, arrested one (1) suspect, Mr Taiye Kujo and Six (6) Motorcycles used by the suspected smugglers, and conveyed all to the Customs House at Idiroko”, the statement stated.

Oloyede added that investigation is ongoing to fish out more perpetrators of such barbaric act.

He stated that the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Peter Kolo, has assured the general public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter officers and men from discharging their statutory responsibilities.

He further appealed to the Traditional Rulers and community leaders to warn their subjects to desist from smuggling activities and attack on security operative as anyone caught shall be made to face the wrath of the law.

How are they smugglers?