Two die, one Arrested, official injured as Smugglers Attack Customs Patrol Team

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), FOU Zone A, Ikeja, Lagos patrol team has been reportedly attacked on Saturday afternoon during an operation along Shagamu Inter-change in Ogun State by smugglers.

The patrol team, as confirmed by the Unit spokesperson, DSC Theophilus Duniya had intercepted twelve vehicles of different kinds, laden with bags of foreign parboiled rice and were on their way to the government warehouse before smugglers mobilized themselves with the support of their sympathizers and attacked the team with dangerous weapons.

“During the exchange of gun fire, two of the attackers lost their lives and one suspect was arrested.

“Out of 12 vehicles in the convoy of the smugglers, our operatives were able to leave with 4 of them laden with smuggled foreign parboiled rice.

“The arrested suspect and the seizure have been brought to the Unit Headquarters, Ikeja”, Duniya said.

The Ag. Controller of the Unit, Hussein K Ejibunu in his reaction to the ugly incident, frowned at the avoidable loss of lives due to the unprovoked attack and ordered full scale Investigations into the matter to apprehend other fleeing suspects with their smuggled wares.

He cautioned the youths to eschew violent confrontations with government operatives and be law abiding at all times.

The acting Comptroller added that such violent attacks will never deter or threaten customs operatives from carrying out their legitimate duties.

“Two of our wounded operatives from the attack are presently receiving treatment in a medical facility”, Duniya stated.