A clash between officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and suspected smugglers along Kobape-Abeokuta expressway in Ogun state on Saturday claimed lives of two persons, as well as two customs officials sustaining injuries.
Penpushing reports that, the customs officials were said to be on the trail of some suspected smugglers conveying bags of foreign rice and arrested them at Kobape junction, along Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway
The source said the customs officers were, however, blocked by the suspects from taking them away from the scene, hence a fight broke out resulting in exchange of fire, which resulted in the causalities recorded
Penpushing further reports that, the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Operating Unit, FOU Zone A, Theophilus Duniya explained that the customs officers were attacked without provocation.
The customs spokesman added that, the patrol team had intercepted 12 vehicles conveying bags of foreign parboiled rice before they attacked the smugglers ,adding that out of the twelve vehicles used for conveying the smuggled rice four were seized.
“Out of 12 vehicles in the convoy of the smugglers, our operatives were able to leave with four of them laden with smuggled foreign parboiled rice. The arrested suspect and the seizure have been brought to the Unit Headquarters, Ikeja’, he said.
“The Acting Controller of the Unit, Hussein K Ejibunu, frowned at the avoidable loss of lives due to the unprovoked attack. He has ordered full scale Investigations into the matter to apprehend other fleeing suspects with their smuggled wares.Two of our wounded operatives from the attack are presently receiving treatment in a medical facility”
Penpushing also reports that, Ogun State Police Command Public Relations Officer,Abimbola Oyeyemi, when contacted , confirmed the clash adding that the command drafted its men to the scene.
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