Smugglers - Radio Nigeria Ibadan Zonal Station

Crime

Customs React to Clash between Smugglers, Officers in Iseyin

By Web News 14 May 2021 536

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has confirmed the clash between some of its officers and some smugglers in Iseyin.

DAILY POST had earlier reported that no fewer than four people were killed in Iseyin, Oyo State during a clash between some Customs officers and smugglers.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred Thursday afternoon when some residents were still celebrating the Eld-Fitri festival.

Sources informed that the four people died as a result of gunshots sustained after customs officers engaged smugglers.

The Customs’s officers allegedly began to shoot sporadically after intercepting smuggled goods coming through the borders.

Some of the residents and groups in the town had condemned the action of the customs officers.

But, Customs in its reaction to the incident, argued that officers who were on routine patrol intercepted two Nissan Pathfinder SUV vehicles fully loaded with smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Iseyin.

Spokesman of NCS, Zone A, Theophilus Duniya in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Friday, explained that the mob attacked the officers with dangerous weapons which led to the infliction of serious injuries on two officers.

He said the mob attempted to abduct one of the officers who was brutally attacked.

“At about 1500 hours of Thursday, 13th May 2021 some daredevil smugglers mobilized themselves with the help of some thugs; attacked a patrol team serving with Federal Operations Unit Zone A, who were on lawful duty at Iseyin.

“The officers who were on routine patrol intercepted two Nissan Pathfinder SUV vehicles fully loaded with smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Iseyin. Sequel to the interception, the officers were attacked by a mob who were mobilized by the smugglers.

“The mob attacked the officers with dangerous weapons which led to the infliction of serious injuries on two officers. In an attempt to abduct one of the officers who was brutally attacked.

“The assailants had taken the injured officer with his rifle before his team members acted in self-defence, shot at his suspected abductors leading to the death of three of them before he was rescued and taken for immediate medical attention.

“The officers were able to successfully evacuate the intercepted smuggled rice, while the injured officers are currently receiving treatment.

“The Acting Controller of the Unit, DC Usman Yahaya, is sad about the avoidable incident and urges community leaders and parents to call their wards and youths to order.

“While appealing for compliance to extant rules, he assured of the resolve of his men to remain resolute on discharging their duties in the best interest of Nigerians.”

Dailypost

Crime

Stray Bullets Allegedly Kill Four in Customs-Smugglers Face-off

By Web News 14 May 2021 743

Four persons were allegedly killed by stray bullets while others were critically injured yesterday in Iseyin, Oke Ogun area of Oyo State when men of the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS) engaged in sporadic shootings with some suspected smugglers.

Radio Nigeria gathered through some residents, who pleaded anonymity that the Customs operatives started shooting sporadically after intercepting certain smuggled goods which were ferried into Iseyin through the borders.

According to the residents, some individuals who were out for Sallah celebrations were allegedly caught up by the stray bullets.

The accidental killing however sparked off confusion in the sleepy town as relations and friends of those affected in the shootings trooped out protesting.

Another resident of the ancient town, who did not want his name mentioned in an interview, pleaded with the Federal Government and Customs Authorities to protect the people of Iseyin from unwarranted killings through stray bullets of men of the Nigerian Customs virtually each time they engage in shooting sprees with smugglers.

Radio Nigeria recalls that similar engagement of smugglers by personnel of the customs recently led to a face-off between them and members of the proscribed National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Iseyin , whose chairman was allegedly hit by their bullets.

The Public Relations Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service Oyo/ Osun Area Command, Mr Kayode Wey and that of the state Police Command, Mr Adewale Osifeso, could not be reached as their known mobile numbers were switched off.

Adewumi Faniran

Crime

Smugglers Attack Customs Officers, Security Operatives in Ogun

By Web News 7 May 2021 764

Officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area One Command and other security personnel on patrol have been attacked at Oja-Odan, Yewa North of Ogun State.

The attack according to the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Hammed Oloyede followed the interception of about three hundred and twenty bags of foreign parboiled rice.

According to him, the foreign rice was stockpiled in a building around the area.

Mr Hammed Oloyede said it was during evacuation of the said rice that some armed diehard smugglers aided by hoodlums attacked the patrol team.

He stated that the smugglers shot sporadically at officers injuring four Customs operatives, one soldier and five civilians assisting in evacuation with gunshots.

He hinted that those injured were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention and are responding to treatment.

Mr.Oloyede explained that two of the hoodlums also sustained injuries during the gun duel with the arrest of a suspect and six motorcycles used by the smugglers.

He said investigation was ongoing to arrest more perpetrators of the barbaric act.

Wale Oluokun

Crime

Suspected Smugglers Attack Personnel of Nigeria Customs Service

By Web News 10 May 2020 874

Suspected smugglers have attacked officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area One Command, at Ilashe village in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

A statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abdullah Maiwada in Abeokuta explained that the officers were attacked after the interception of thirty-five bags of smuggled parboiled rice of fifty kilogrammes each being ferried by a convoy of motorcyclists in the area.

The customs spokesman said the diehard smugglers mobilised themselves in numbers to launch the attack with weapons on the officers including an Assistant Superintendent of Customs Mr. Chidi Johnson, who was brutally matcheted with deep cuts in various parts of his body.