Two Killed As Security Officials Clash With Rice Smugglers In Ogun
Two persons have been confirmed killed while ten others sustained injuries as men of the Nigerian Customs Service and Military personnel clashed with suspected smugglers in Ogun State.
The spokesman of the Command, Hammed Oloyede confirmed the incident
It was gathered that the incident occurred at Oja-Odan in Yewa North Local Government of the state on Thursday when a patrol team from Ogun Command Area I intercepted 320 bags of foreign parboiled rice (50kg) stockpiled in a building.
It was further confirmed that during evacuation of the said goods, some ‘diehard’ smugglers in collaboration with hoodlums attacked and opened fired on the patrol team .
Four Customs operatives, one Soldier and five civilians assisting in evacuation reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
It was learnt that the patrol team, in repressing the attacks, also gunned down two of the suspected smugglers and left many others with gunshot injuries.
The customs area 1 command said those injured have been rushed to the hospital for “proper medical attention and are currently responding to treatment.”
According to him, the patrol team succeeded in evacuating the items, arrested one suspect, Taiye Kujo and six motorcycles used by the suspected smugglers.
Oloyede said, “Investigation is ongoing to fish out more perpetrators of this barbaric act.
“In this regard, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Peter Kolo assured the general public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter his 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.”
