LAGOS – One youth shot, two security vehicles destroyed in on Monday when smugglers and Customs men in Ogun State engaged in bloody over illegal importation and stock-pilling of ban foreign rice.
The Ogun 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said suspected smugglers on Monday afternoon attacked its officers and men during its operation to seize the rice at a hideout.
This is contained in a press statement made available to the public by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Abdullahi Maiwada.
The statement said that the officers and men of the command with support of the Nigerian Army personnel on a tip off busted a hide-out where smugglers stockpiled smuggled rice and other prohibited items.
It stated further that while the operatives with the help of some youth in the community were trying to evacuate the stockpiled rice, the criminals shot at the officers.
According to the release, one of the boys helping the operatives to evacuate the rice was hit by stray bullet but added that he was immediately rushed to the hospital where he is receiving treatment.
The statement stated, “Furthermore, two official vehicles attached to the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Customs Service respectively were equally pelted with bullets.
“However, the team gallantly responded to the aggression and succeeded in evacuating one hundred and ten (110) bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each.
“Also, one suspect was arrested in connection with the incident and is currently undergoing interrogation.
In similar development, the command spokesman stated further in the statement that, “The CAC Special Taskforce led by ASC I M. Lawal, made another discovery of new antics being employed by smugglers to beat ‘the eagle eyes’ of Officers and Men of the Command.
“Large quantity of Smuggled rice which were carefully concealed in a volvo truck with Chassis number: YB1E6A2A2JB420916 and registration number: FFF–897 ZC (Ogun state) was criminally disguised as Cassava Flour (White Elubo), Fufu and Maize.
Further examination revealed four hundred and ten (410) bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each deceptively packaged in the said vehicle.
“To this end, Comptroller Agbara Michael assured members of the public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter the Command from discharging its statutory responsibilities.
“He emphatically pledged to decisively stop all forms of aggressions applied by smugglers in the interest of social and economic prosperity of our dear country,” the statement assured.
