A yet-to-be-identified suspected smuggler yesterday died when he reportedly engaged some operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ogun in a battle.
The incident occurred at Adisba along Idiroko-Ota Road, Yewa Local Government Area of the state.
It was learnt that the incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when the officers on routine patrol intercepted a vehicle suspected to have conveyed prohibited items into Nigeria.
It was further gathered that the suspected smuggler, who had earlier fled, later emerged alongside his cohorts for an alleged mob action against the armed NCS operatives.
The suspects reportedly engaged the officers in a physical fight, leading to the death of one of them during the clash.
A statement by the command’s spokesmen, Abdullahi Maiwada, on Monday confirmed the death, saying the officer “appropriately exercised his superior power in self-defence leading to the death.”
Maiwada said that the remains of the suspect had been deposited in an undisclosed mortuary, while “the exhibit is secured in government warehouse pending further investigation.”
“It is however important to finally reiterate that Nigeria Customs, as a leading agency in collaboration with other agencies, is only implementing the federal government’s policies.
“The general public is advised to be law abiding and avoid any confrontation that may lead to such avoidable incident.
“Furthermore, it is emphatically clear that the rules of engagement specifically permits an officer to defend himself when his life is evidently in danger,” he said.
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