By Tony Nzekwe and Olubunmi ISOKPEHI
In line with it’s statutorily responsibilities to generate revenue, suppress smuggling activities and facilitate trade, the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Command has continued to suffer some attacks aimed to dampen the morale and zeal to enforce Compliance of fiscal policies of the federal government of Nigeria.
In view of that, On 10th February, 2021 at about 1723hours, the Joint Border Drill Operatives stationed at Olajogun in Oja-Odan area of Ilaro intercepted several kegs of 25 litres capacity of Petroleunm Motor Spirit (PMS) destined for smuggling outside Nigeria.
This information was contained in a statement issued signed by the command Public Relations Officer, DSC Hammed Oloyede and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
The statement reads in Part: “In an attempt to seize the said petroleum products obviously in contravention with schedule six (6) of Common External Tariff, some smugglers armed with assorted dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, guns and charms unleashed deadly attack against lawful Officers leading to a crossfire. In the ensuing exchange of fire between smugglers and the patrol team, one Tunde Alabe (male), a native of Ohunbe community also involved in the attack sustain a gun injury leading to his untimely death.”
Adding, “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.”
After the incident, 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 ; Two (2) buildings and many other patrol points.
Reacting, the Customs Area Controller, Compt. 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.
However, Compt Peter Kolo appealed to traditional rulers, opinion moulders and eminent personalities on the need to dissuade our 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 fighg against.
