Smugglers in Ogun attack Customs patrol team, vandalise vehicles, houses

Etim Effiong

The Joint Border Drill Operatives at Olajogun in Oja-Odan area of Ilaro intercepted many kegs of 25 litres of fuel to be smuggled out of Nigeria.

A statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Hammed Bukoye Oloyede, on Friday, said the hoodlums attacked the patrol team as they were trying to seize the petrol meant to be smuggled out of the country.

The statement read in part: “In an attempt to seize the said petroleum products obviously in contravention of Schedule Six (6) of the Common External Tariff, some smugglers armed with dangerous weapons like cutlasses, guns, and charms began attacking lawful officers, which eventually resulted in a crossfire.

“In the ensuing exchange of fire between the smugglers and the patrol team, one Tunde Alabe (male), a native of Ohunbe community also involved in the attack sustains a gunshot injury leading to his untimely death.

“This unfortunate incident led to the blockage of Oja-Odan/Obelle Road by a syndicated armed smugglers/hoodlums. They further advanced thier hostilities by burning down all customs checkpoints and that of our sister security agencies from Olajogun to Hanger and Ohunbe Areas of Ogun State.

“As at the time of writing this report, the property and items destroyed by the hoodlums are: Two Customs Patrol Toyota Hilux; one patrol Toyota Hilux belonging to Nigeria Immigration; one Mercedes Benz SUV; one Peugeot 206; Four motorcycles belonging to Nigeria Immigration; original credentials and other documents belonging to two customs personnel, and two buildings and many other patrol points.”

Oloyede said the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Peter Chado Kolo has vowed to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate happening and promised to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He further appealed to traditional rulers, opinion moulders and eminent personalities on the need to dissuade the teaming youths from seeing smuggling as means of livelihood.

The protection of the society against socio-economic ills usually compounded by smuggling is a collective course all should fight against.