One dies as hoodlums attack Customs officers in Ogun


One person has been reported dead during a clash between officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area Command, and suspected hoodlums at Ebute, along Oja-Odan in Ilaro, Yewa South local government area of the state.

A statement on Wednesday by the Command's Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, confirmed the development.

According to Maiwada, officers of the command were on trail of a military truck-head, which was said to have been smuggled into the country and allegedly kept at Ebute Community.

He added that in an attempt to secure the said truck, some suspected hoodlums mobilised themselves and attacked Customs officers with dangerous items including stones, bottles, cutlasses, sticks and among others.

The spokesman added that while attempting to resist the attack, one of the hoodlums was shot at the upper part of his leg, which later led to his death.

According to him, "Officers of Nigeria Customs Service Ogun Command on routine patrol based on credible intelligence at about 8:30 a.m trailed a military truck-head smuggled into Nigeria and kept at Ebute Community. In an attempt to secure the said vehicle, some unscrupulous members of the community mobilized themselves by blocking the access road and started pelting our personnel with stones, bottles, cutlasses, sticks and other dangerous items.

"Considering the implication of such truck to national security, our Officers resisted and called for reinforcement to cordon the area for the safe evacuation of the truck.

"Unfortunately, during the encounter, one of the hoodlums was shot at the upper part of his leg (pelvic girdle) and consequently died"

The command stated that normalcy had since been returned with intervention of Police and Military personnel, adding that the truck has been secured at Customs House in Abeokuta for further investigation.

The command also commended the patriotic role of sister agencies, traditional leaders, eminent personalities and some host communities who have shown high level of partnership in its quest to effectively secure the country.

This is really disturbing!