Smugglers Batter Customs Officers In Ogun State

Smugglers descended on some officers Nigeria Customs Service while on patrol along Ogun/Ole-Odan axis of Ogun State.
A statement on the attack that was issued by the Nigeria Customs Service disclosed that four suspects have however been arrested in connection with the attack.
The statement added that its operation against the smugglers led to the seizure of 11 motor cycles which were used as means of conveyance of 250 bags of smuggled rice.
Sounding undeterred, the statement added that the Nigeria Customs Service will not be cowed from performing its statutory functions, most especially in the area of anti-smuggling operations.
In the statement which was issued by the Service’s anti-smuggling unit, it acknowledged that: “These incessant attacks on officers and men of Nigeria Customs Service on patrol by “dare devil” smugglers have led to so many deaths and series of injuries recorded. In some cases, officers and men are left with deep machete cuts and various degrees of injuries”.
Harping on its responsibility as enforcement organisation, the statement stressed that: “The Service does not make laws but implement and enforce Government Fiscal policies as it concerns trade. Enforcement of these policies means compelling people to comply and this makes Customs work more difficult and challenging.”
Recounting its successes in anti-smuggling, the statement noted that it’s aware that its clampdown on smugglers will earn more enemies for its personnel, but it maintained that there was no alternative to the anti-smuggling war.
“The government is making all efforts to ensure that all revenue meant for the government are collected and remitted and encourage local industries and revive industries that have been closed down due to smuggling activities. The launch of operation “hawk descend” an anti-smuggling campaign against the smugglers of frozen poultry products sometime last year witnessed a massive seizure of frozen poultry products across the country”, it stated.