The Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has foiled attempt by suspected hoodlums to loot and set the command ablaze.
Public Relations Officer of the command, Chado Zakari, in a statement at the weekend said the hoodlums who came in large numbers armed with guns, machetes, axes, charms and other dangerous weapons were determined to unleash mayhem on the command but were resisted by the combined efforts of the officers and the army.
He said there was an exchange of gunfire for about 40 minutes leading to serious injuries of two officers, who he said are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
He said 24 motorcycles and one Keke Napep meant to move goods out of the command were seized during the encounter.
According to the statement, “On Friday, 23 October, 2020 at about 1630hours, the Kwara Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service came under attack by hoodlums with an obvious intention of looting and setting the command and government properties ablaze.
“The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmed Hussaini Bello fsi who was still in office as the time of the attack called for immediate reinforcement from the Nigerian Army.
“On the other hand, all efforts by the CAC to address the hoodlums to douse the tensed atmosphere at the command’s gate proved abortive. Officers were left with no option than to response appropriately to spontaneous attack unleashed by the hoodlums.
“Unfortunately, forty minutes exchange of gun fire led to serious injuries of two officers who are now responding to treatment in our health facilities.
“To this end, the Customs Area Controller hereby seized this opportunity to call on parents, guardians, community leaders, religious leaders and opinion-molders to caution their wards on the dangers of towing the path of extreme illegality and anarchy.
“The command will do everything humanly possible within the ambit of the law to protect government properties and ensure that peace prevail against all odds. It is important to reiterate that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service are only implementers of Federal Government Policies in the overall interest of national growth and development.
“The hostility by hoodlums and their accomplices will never be a distraction in discharging our statutory responsibilities.”