Suspected smugglers open fire on customs patrol team in Ogun state

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, has confirmed an attack on its personnel at the Akokoro area of Iwoye in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun.

Zakaria Chado, spokesperson of the command, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday in Idiroko.

Chado said the attack occurred on Thursday at about 4:00 pm while officers, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a 12-tyre truck suspected to be conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs and other prohibited items.

He said that before reinforcement teams could arrive, the suspects mobilised a large number of armed hoodlums and launched a coordinated attack on the patrol team.

“In a deliberate effort to obstruct law enforcement, the attackers mounted heavy barricades at about nine strategic points to block access routes, preventing timely reinforcement,” he said.

“They opened fire on the officers and disabled a Customs patrol vehicle by shooting at its tyres, creating a volatile and dangerous operational environment,” Chado added.

He said two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange.

“During the exchange, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service sustained gunshot injuries and are currently in critical condition, receiving intensive medical care,” he said.

Chado said the suspects exploited the barricades to escape with the intercepted truck.

“Exploiting the multiple barricades, the smugglers fled the scene with the intercepted truck,” he said.

He added that investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend all those involved in the attack.

Acting Area Controller of the Command, Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack and described it as barbaric.

Afeni stated that violent resistance would not deter the service from fulfilling its mandate of combating smuggling and safeguarding national security.

He called on traditional rulers and community leaders within the command’s area to caution residents against smuggling and attacks on security personnel.

Afeni warned that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

He assured law-abiding residents of their safety and reiterated the NCS’s commitment to border security, public health and enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.