Some personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and some soldiers attached to the Anti-Smuggling Operatives of the Ogun Area 1 command of the Customs have been attacked by hoodlums at the Imeko-Afon area of Ogun State, while trying to evacuate smuggled rice in the area.
According to a statement by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada, in an effort to evacuate the goods from the scene, some criminals shot sporadically at the soldiers and the Customs officers.
He said the team responded to the attack and succeeded in evacuating the 110 bags of smuggled parboiled rice of 50kg each.
The spokesman disclosed that one suspect who was arrested in connection with the incident is currently undergoing interrogation.
He added that in the fracas that ensued, one patriotic youth who was assisting the team in the evacuation of the seized items was hit by a stray bullet and immediately rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.
Furthermore, he said two official vehicles attached to the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Customs Service respectively were equally pelted with bullets.
Responding to the attack, the Customs Area Controller of Ogun 1 Command, Comptroller Agbara Michael assured members of the public that the renewed hostilities by armed smugglers will not deter him and his men from discharging their statutory responsibilities.
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