Hoodlums suspected to be smugglers have allegedly attacked operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, injuring one person at Anigbobo village in Obada Local Government Area.
Customs Public Relations Officer, Abdulahi Maiwada, who made the claim in a statement, said the incident occurred on Sunday when the officers “on information patrol” intercepted 35 bags of smuggled rice.
He said the officers were on their way out of the area where the rice was intercepted when the smugglers allegedly opened fire on them.
“At 0213hours of Sunday 05th April, 2020, officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service Ogun 1 Command went on information patrol to Anigbobo village in Obada Local Government Area, Ogun State. They succeeded in intercepting 35 bags of smuggled par boiled rice of 50kg each.
“On their way out of the area of arrest, some unscrupulous elements suspected to be diehard smugglers in their numbers shot sporadically at officers. Eventually, one inspector of Customs, EI Edeh, was shot on his forehead. The injured officer was immediately rushed to the hospital for proper medical attention and is currently responding to treatment.
“Consequently, the team gallantly responded to the aggression and succeeded in evacuating the aforementioned items to the government warehouse for safe keeping. Also, investigation is ongoing to fish out the perpetrators of this barbaric act.
“To this end, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Michael Agbara, assured members of the public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter officers and men of the Command from discharging their statutory responsibilities. He further assured the law abiding members of the public to go about their legitimate activities and that no matter the antics deployed by smugglers, they will surely meet their waterloo,” the statement said.