Deborah Akinyosoye
The Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, Idiroko, has confirmed an attack on its personnel by suspected armed smugglers at Akokoro area of Iwoye in Imeko-Afon Local Council of Ogun State.
The spokesperson of the command, Zakaria Chado, disclosed this in a statement, saying the incident occurred on Thursday at about 4:00 p.m. 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.
Chado said two personnel were critically injured during the attack, which took place before reinforcement teams could arrive, allowing the suspects to mobilise a large number of armed hoodlums and launch a coordinated assault 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. They opened fire on the officers and disabled a Customs patrol vehicle by shooting at its tyres, creating a volatile and dangerous operational environment.
“During the exchange, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service sustained gunshot injuries and are currently in critical condition, receiving intensive medical care.”
Exploiting the multiple barricades, the smugglers fled the scene with the intercepted truck. Investigation has commenced to identify, track, and apprehend all those involved in the attack,” he said.
The acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Olukayode Afeni, condemned the attack as barbaric and reaffirmed that such violent resistance would not deter the command or the service from discharging its mandate of combating smuggling and ensuring national security.
He called on traditional rulers and community leaders within the command’s area of responsibility to caution their subjects against smuggling and attacks on security personnel, warning that offenders would face the full wrath of the law.