The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it had commence investigation to ascertain the circumstances that led to the death of a 27-year -old woman, Angella Abba allegedly by some operatives attached to the unit.
Two persons reportedly died on Monday when the FOU operatives clashed with rice smugglers at Sango Ota area of Ogun State.
The operatives had in an attempt to force some suspected smugglers off the road, started shooting in the crowded area leading to a stray bullet hitting Abba who was preparing food in front of her shop. She eventually died on the way to the hospital.
Spokesman of the unit, Uche Ejesieme told SHIPS & PORTS DAILY that the death of Abba was still an allegation which the legal unit of the anti-smuggling arm had open an investigation into.
“It is unthinkable and incomprehensible that Customs operatives will just engage in a shooting spree. The seizure happened at Papanlato area but the operatives were blocked at Sango area of Ogun State, so why should hooligans prevent us from performing our duty?
“A combined team of FOU operatives led by AC Adamu Mohammed in collaboration with the headquarters monitoring team on Monday at about 4:30 am while acting on a tip-off intercepted massive seizure including smuggled rice, vehicles and other offending and prohibited goods along Papanlato axis in Ogun State,” he said.
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