Two customs officers died while one other injured when hoodlums suspected to have been contacted by smugglers attacked a patrol team on Thursday along Lokoja-Okene road.
The deceased officials were identified as S. Chiremen and SM Omale, both are Assistant Superintendent of Customs, while Deputy Superintendent of Customs HI Oladapo, sustained serious wound in the attack.
While Omale was buried on Friday according to Islam, Chiremen would be buried on a later date.
Lomba Benjamin, Public Relations Officer, Niger-Kogi Comman in. Statement said that on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at 10.20pm a team of patrol officers were attacked by armed bandits along Lokoja-Okene road.
Benjamin said that the attack on the patrol team resulted in the death of two officers (Assistant Superintendent of Customs One S OHIREMEN and Assistant Superintendent of Customs Two SM OMALE).
He said a third officer, was lucky as he escaped death by the whiskers. He identified him as Deputy Superintendent of Customs HI OLADAPO).
He said that the injured officer was quickly moved to Federal medical centre Lokoja for medical attention. Adding that as at the time of releasing the press statement, the officer has been discharged from the hospital and would be returning to work as soon as he is in full health.
“Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service are only implementers of Federal Government Policies, hence we urge every Nigerian citizen aggrieved toward losing his/her goods to engage the services of the Court rather than resort to violence and killing of family men whom are the bread winners of their families while serving their Nation.
“The Nigeria Custom Service, Niger/Kogi Command has continued to maintain close contact with the bereaved families. We are pained by the sad development and share in the grief of losing fellow officers, colleagues, brothers, husbands, fathers and the likes. We are and will continue to work with other sister agencies in identifying the armed bandits in connection to the attack on our officers and anyone found guilty will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“ASC II OMALE was buried on Friday 13th December, 2019 according to Islamic rights in Ayamba village of Kogi State and the Customs Area Controller (ABBA-KASSIM YUSUF) paid a condolence visit to the wife, children and family on Saturday 14th December, 2019. During the visit, the CAC assured the family that the Management will deploy all necessary mechanisms to ensure the perpetrators of this evil act are brought to book. However, this sad event will not distract us from vigorously discharging our statutory functions.
“ASC I OHIREMEN will be buried at his home town in Ondo State by January 2020.” he said
