L-R; CAC Umar Yusuf and Ag. DC Admin, Abba Umar during the news conference at the Western Marine Command, Lagos. |
The operatives who were attacked with guns and knives by smugglers at Bawe Creeks |
The Nigeria
Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command, on Monday said it would track
down some smugglers who left three of its operatives seriously injured after an
attack at Bawe Creek around Badagry.
Customs Service (NCS) Western Marine Command, on Monday said it would track
down some smugglers who left three of its operatives seriously injured after an
attack at Bawe Creek around Badagry.
The Customs Area
Controller (CAC) of the Command, Mr Umar Yusuf, stated this while conducting newsmen round to see some of the smuggled items that were seized.
Controller (CAC) of the Command, Mr Umar Yusuf, stated this while conducting newsmen round to see some of the smuggled items that were seized.
The seized boat laden with smuggled rice in bags |
Yusuf said that
the officers; Mark Senu; Jamiu Razaq and Idris Musa, were among the officers
attacked by the smugglers while on duty on Friday, June 12.
the officers; Mark Senu; Jamiu Razaq and Idris Musa, were among the officers
attacked by the smugglers while on duty on Friday, June 12.
He said that the
smugglers, however, bowed to the superior fire power of the operatives as they
abandoned their weapons and fled the scene of the operation.
smugglers, however, bowed to the superior fire power of the operatives as they
abandoned their weapons and fled the scene of the operation.
“The
smugglers opened fire, but the gallant officers were able to subdue them and
they fled, leaving their matchet and guns.
smugglers opened fire, but the gallant officers were able to subdue them and
they fled, leaving their matchet and guns.
“They
didn’t want my officers to come back alive but God intervened and the officers
fought a good fight.
didn’t want my officers to come back alive but God intervened and the officers
fought a good fight.
“We are
ensuring that we track down the smugglers wherever they are and we will do so
squarely because we are equal to the task, ” Yusuf said.
ensuring that we track down the smugglers wherever they are and we will do so
squarely because we are equal to the task, ” Yusuf said.
The CAC showed the newsmen to the boat laden
with about 2000 bags of rice that was
seized as well as one long den gun, one short den gun, four knives and a
matchet.
with about 2000 bags of rice that was
seized as well as one long den gun, one short den gun, four knives and a
matchet.
Yusuf also
supervised the destruction of some seized expired drugs, smuggled second-hand
clothes and expired condensed milk.
supervised the destruction of some seized expired drugs, smuggled second-hand
clothes and expired condensed milk.
He warned that
smugglers and criminals on the waterways should stop their evil acts as the
command has zero tolerance to their nefarious activities.
smugglers and criminals on the waterways should stop their evil acts as the
command has zero tolerance to their nefarious activities.
He said the
command was set to deploy its sea-going boats; the Customs Pride and Group of
Nine’ to boost its operations.
command was set to deploy its sea-going boats; the Customs Pride and Group of
Nine’ to boost its operations.
Yusuf commended
the Customs Intelligence Unit(CIU) for its efforts that gave the officers the
vital information needed for the success of their assignment.
the Customs Intelligence Unit(CIU) for its efforts that gave the officers the
vital information needed for the success of their assignment.
He also said
that the operatives of the command were preparing to embark on various marine
training courses to enable them manage the boats.
that the operatives of the command were preparing to embark on various marine
training courses to enable them manage the boats.