Die-hard smugglers attack Customs Officers in Ogun State
*Destroys Patrol vehicles
(By Silas Onuoha)
The report reaching us now reveals that die-hard smugglers operating in Ogun State violently attacked Customs Officers while on duty.
Our reporter gathered that the barbaric act of those economic saboteurs led to the death of one person.
Giving details of the unfortunate incident, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), of the Command, HAMMED BUKOYE OLOYEDE, said: “On 10th February, 2021 at about 1723hours, the Joint Border Drill Operatives stationed at Olajogun in Oja-Odan area of Ilaro intercepted several kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) destined for smuggling outside Nigeria.
“In an attempt to seize the said petroleum product, obviously in contravention of schedule six of Common External Tariff, some smugglers armed with dangerous weapons, cutlasses, guns and charms unleashed deadly attack on lawful Officers leading to a crossfire.
“In the ensuing exchange of fire between smugglers and the patrol team, one Tunde Alabe, a native of Ohunbe community also involved in the attack sustained a gunshot injury leading to his untimely death.”
He added: “This unfortunate incident led to the blockage of Oja-Odan/Obelle Road by armed smugglers/hoodlums.
” They also advanced there hostilities by burning 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 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 206; four Motorcycles belonging to Nigeria Immigration; original credentials and other documents belonging to two Customs personnel; two buildings and other patrol points.
To this end, the Customs Area Controller of Ogun -1 Command, Compt. Peter Chado Kolo, vowed to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.
The CAC promised to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to book.
He appealed to traditional rulers and opinion moulders on the need to dissuade their youths from seeing smuggling as means of livelihood.
His words: “The protection of society against socio-economic ills usually compounded by smuggling is a collective course we must all join forces to fight against’.
Some of the properties destroyed by smugglers during the attack.
