Armed men believed to be rice smugglers have killed a Customs officer, Hamisu Sani, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a clash with operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
In the incident, which occurred on Sunday, the smugglers also wounded an Inspector of Customs, Tijani John Michel, with machetes. It was learnt that the victims were among Customs personnel on routine anti-smuggling patrol on Asero Road off old Abeokuta- Ibadan Road. They were said to have intercepted eight reconstructed vehicles fully loaded with smuggled bags of rice but later ambushed by suspected smugglers and their accomplices.
The PRO added that the eight vehicles fully loaded with smuggled rice were also secured at the Customs House, Abeokuta for further investigation. In a statement made available to journalists, Maiwada vowed that the command would deploy the necessary apparatus to bring the perpetrators of the crime to book.
He said: “Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Command, on routine patrol based on credible information about 2.30a.m., intercepted eight reconstructed vehicles fully loaded with smuggled rice and kept in a hideout at Asero community
“In an attempt to lawfully secure the said items, the smugglers and their accomplices ambushed the officers. “Unfortunately during the encounter, one of the officers, a Customs Assistant I, Hamisu Sani, sustained grievous injuries and paid the supreme price in active service. Also, an Inspector of Customs, Tijani John Michel,sustained serious machete cut but is responding to treatment in the hospital.
“While we commend the patriotic role of our sister agencies and law-abiding citizens, we wish to categorically state that we will deploy all necessary apparatus to ensure that the perpetrators of this devilish act are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.
“Finally, the reoccurrence of such form of hostilities and intimidation by smugglers and their accomplices on our officers and men will never distract us from vigorously discharging our statutory functions.”