Customs Service investigates alleged shooting at officers by smugglers in Ogun community
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun 1 Command, Ogun State, Monday said it was investigating an attack allegedly carried out against its officers while on patrol duty on Sunday in Anigbobo community in Ogun State.
Spokesman of the Command, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed that the suspected smugglers launched an attack against the operatives, while they were trying to leave the area with seized bags of smuggled parboil rice.
He disclosed that one of the customs operatives who was attacked, was left with a fatal head injury and was taken to hospital for treatment.
“They succeeded in Intercepting thirty-five (35) bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each.
“On their way out of the area of arrest, some unscrupulous elements suspected to be die-hard 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,” the statement read in part.
The Command’s Controller, Agbara Michael, has, however, assured members of the public of their safety as operatives would only be interested in going after smugglers.
