The Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service, has arraigned two suspected smugglers; Oyedeji Rashidi and Shuaib Sheyi, before an Ikeja Magistrate Court.
The two suspects were arraigned on a nine counts charge bordering on smuggling prohibited items.
The trail Magistrate; Y.A. Aje-Afunwa,in a statement made available to Shipping Position Daily yesterday in Lagos, adjourned the case till February 15, 2017 and ordered that the two suspects be remanded in Ikoyi Prison, Lagos.
The Public Relations Officer of the Unit; Mr Jerry Attah said in the statement that when the smugglers’ gang leader got information that the Unit was charging the suspect (Oyedeji Rashidi) to Court, they mobilized with the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Lagos State Branch to stage an unruly protest at the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja demanding the unconditional release of the suspect in their custody.
Customs prosecution Counsel, Badejogbin David, in the press release,prayed the court expedite the trial to serve as deterrent to others.
The Public Relations Officer of the Unit, Jerry Attah said that when the smugglers’ gang leader got information that the Unit was charging the suspect (Oyedeji Rashidi) to Court, they mobilized with the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Lagos State Branch to stage an unruly protest at the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja demanding the unconditional release of the suspect in their custody.
Attah expressed dissatisfaction that such credible human right group would allow themselves to be used by the smugglers who mean no good for the country.
He noted that the Controller Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Umar Mohammed Dahiru commended the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Fatai Owoseni for his prompt deployment of his men to stop what would have caused serious tensions and casualties.
The Units spokesman explained that the Customs boss said the spirit of inter-agency relationship among security agencies couldn’t be over emphasized.
Attah reiterated that the economic saboteurs are desperate to smuggle into the Country over 600 metric tonnes of Rice rotting away in warehouses located across our borders. He restated the determination of his operatives to frustrate their plans and bring them to book accordingly.
He stressed that the Controller advised the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights to always verify their claims before embarking on any struggle to enhance their credibility and integrity.
He noted that taking sides with suspected smugglers is not within their mandate, recalling that on Thursday 13 October 2016, field operatives of the Unit while on a tip-off, trailed some smugglers to Alakuko /Kola Junction area of Agege Lagos and intercepted two vehicles laden with smuggled rice.
However, while taking the seized goods to the office, one of the suspects; Oyedeyi Rashidi incited a mob attack against the operatives who were armed with dangerous weapons such as guns, cutlasses, broken bottle, sticks, stones among others, which resulted to a shootout between Customs officers and the smugglers.
The Customs spokesman pointed out that while some of the hoodlums confronted the field officers, others rescued one of the arrested vehicles loaded with smuggled rice.
He further stated that the intervention of reinforcement saved one of the vehicles and ensured the arrest of a suspect.
The controller pointed out that it is the professional conduct of operatives prevented a complete breakdown of law and order or serious fatalities in a densely populated area.
He stressed that the fact that a smuggler has evaded scrutiny either by following unapproved route or compromising any operatives does not guarantee that the smuggled item will not be seized anywhere it is found by patrol officers whose duty is to ensure compliance.
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