By; NIYI OGUNGBOLA, Abeokuta
Again Customs/ Smugglers clash in Ogun State has claimed one life while three patrol Toyota Hilux,1Mercedes Benz SUV, one Pegueot 206 and four motorcykles were burnt to ashes.
The clash occurred last Thursday 10th February, 2021 at about 1723hours between the Joint Border Drill Operatives at Olajogun in Oja-Odan area of Ilaro in Ogun West.
According to the press release made available to newsmen by theCustoms Public Relations officer Deputy Superintendent Hammed Oloyede,the clash occurred when Customs operatives intercepted several kegs of 25 litres capacity of Petroleunm Motor Spirit (PMS) destined for smuggling outside Nigeria.
Oloyede stated that an attempt to seize the petroleum products , some smugglers armed with assorted dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, guns and charms unleashed deadly attack against lawful Officers leading to a crossfire.
He said that during the exchange of fire between smugglers and the patrol team, one Tunde Alabe (male), a native of Ohunbe community sustained a gun injury leading to his untimely death.
“This unfortunate incident led to the blockage of Oja-Odan/Obelle Road by a syndicated armed smugglers/hoodlums. They further advanced there hostilities by burning down all Customs Checkpoints and that of sister security agencies from Olajogun to Hanger and Ohunbe Areas of Ogun state.
“As at the time of writing this report, the properties and items destroyed by the smugglers/hoodlums include:
Two (2) Customs Patrol Toyota Hilux,One (1) patrol Toyota Hilux belonging to Nigeria Immigration, One (1) Mercedes Benz SUV, One (1) Peugeot 206, Four (4) Motorcycles belonging to Nigeria Immigration, Original credentials and other documents belonging to Two (2) Customs personnel andTwo (2) buildings.
Meanwhile, the Area Controller of Ogun 1 Command Idiroko,Comptroller Peter Chado Kolo has vowed to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident and promised to bring the perpetrators of this evil act to book.
He appealed to traditional rulers, opinion moulders and eminent personalities on the need to dissuade the teaming youths from seeing smuggling as means of livelihood.
“The protection of the society against socio-economic ills usually compounded by smuggling is a collective course we should all join force to fighting against.” Comptroller Kolo urged.
