Hoodlums suspected to be smugglers, at about 2.30pm on Monday attacked officials of the Ogun I command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Obada-Idiemi along Imeko-Afon area of Ogun State.
The Customs Public Relations Officer, Ogun I Command, Abdullahi Maiwada who confirmed the attack in a statement on Monday said that the officials supported by personnel of the Nigerian Army on patrol, following credible intelligence identified a hideout used by suspected smugglers to stockpile smuggled rice and other prohibited items.
Maiwada stated that in an effort to evacuate the ‘uncustomed’ goods from the scene, some daredevil criminals shot sporadically at officers.
According to him, “In the melee that ensued, one patriotic youth who was assisting the team in the evacuation of the seized items was hit by a stray bullet and immediately rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention. Furthermore, two official vehicles attached to the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Customs Service respectively were equally pelted with bullets.
“However, the team gallantly responded to the aggression and succeeded in evacuating one hundred and ten (110) bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each. Also, one suspect was arrested in connection with the incident and is currently undergoing interrogation. “
He further disclosed that the CAC Special Taskforce led by ASC I M Lawal made another discovery of new antics being employed by smugglers to beat ‘the eagle eyes’ of officers and men of the command.
The command’s spokesman informed that large quantity of smuggled rice which were carefully concealed in a Volvo truck with Chasis number: YB1E6A2A2JB420916 and registration number: FFF–897 ZC (Ogun state) was criminally disguised as cassava flour (White Elubo), Fufu and Maize.
He observed that further examination revealed four hundred and ten (410) bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each deceptively packaged in the said vehicle.
“To this end, Comptroller Agbara Michael assured members of the public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter the command from discharging its statutory responsibilities.
“He emphatically pledged to decisively stop all forms of aggressions applied by smugglers in the interest of social and economic prosperity of our dear country.
“Finally, the CAC wishes to express the command’s profound appreciation firstly to the Comptroller General of Customs and his amiable management, other sister agencies, traditional leaders, eminent personalities and some host communities for their unconditional support towards effectively securing our nation against the nefarious activities of smugglers”, he noted.
Photo: One of the vehicles pelted with bullets by smugglers in Ogun.
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