- A clash between some officers of the Nigerian Customs Service and smuggler has led to the death of about four people
- The clash occurred in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital city
- The smugglers were said to have been transport some bags of rice to Abeokuta when the incident happened
Four people have been reportedly killed in a clash between officers of the Nigerian Customs Service and smugglers in Ogun state.
The Nation reports that six other people sustained gunshot injuries during the clash which occurred at Ilara, in Imeko-Afon local government area - a border town with the Republic of Benin at 8.30 am on Sunday, May 13.
Eyewitnesses said some suspected smugglers were accosted by a joint anti-smuggling patrol team while moving bags of rice in a convoy to Abeokuta, Ogun state.
It was gathered that the team made up of the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service and soldiers had attempted to impound the contraband goods when the trouble ensued.
The witnesses said the smugglers put up a stiff resistance which led to an exchange of fire leaving about four people dead and six others with gunshot wounds.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun state Area Command of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, said he could not give the exact number of casualties.
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Maiwada said: “I learnt there was an interdiction between our men (Customs) and smugglers in Ilara border town when the smugglers wanted to move bags of rice in their vehicles out of the town to their receivers.
“But I don’t have details of the incident but I will get back to you as soon as I am fully briefed," Maidawa said.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that some customs officers intercepted a large quantity Tramadol contained in containers.
The goods were intercepted that the Tincan seaport by the Tincan Island command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
It was gathered that the success by the officers followed a efforts put in place by the service in ending the menace of illicit use of the banned drug.
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Source: Naija.ng