- Comptroller Kolo vows to prosecute suspects
(Written by Silas Onuoha):
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), of
Ogun 1 Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Comptroller Peter Kolo, said one suspect had been arrested over the violent attack on his officers and a Military personnel on duty in Ogun State.
The CAC, who spoke through the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, DSC Hammed Bukoye Oloyede, disclosed that investigation is on-going to fish out other suspects.
According to him, the ugly accident that left Customs officers and civilians with gunshot injuries, took place at Oja-Odan, Yewa North of Ogun State.
He informed, “At about 0200hours, on the 6th of May 2021, Officers and Men of Ogun I Command, Military personnel were on information patrol to Oja-Odan, Yewa North of Ogun State.
“Based on credible intelligence, the patrol team intercepted about 320 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg each), out of the large quantities stockpiled in a building around the area.
“During evacuation of the seized rice, some die-hard smugglers aided by unscrupulous elements and hoodlums in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons attacked the patrol team and opened fire on the officers.
“Unfortunately, four Customs Operatives, one Soldier and Five civilians assisting in evacuation sustained gunshot injuries.
“They were immediately rushed to the hospital for proper medical attention and are currently responding to treatment.
“The patrol team repressed the attack by gunning down two (2) of the hoodlums and left others with gunshot injuries.
“The patrol team succeeded in evacuating the aforementioned items, arrested one suspect identified as Mr Taiye Kujo and seized six Motorcycles used by the smugglers. The seized items were all conveyed to Customs House at Idiroko.
“Investigation is on-going to fish out more perpetrators of such barbaric act.”
More so, the CAC assured the general public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter the 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 operatives, as anyone caught shall be made to face the wrath of the law.
