The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area Command I, yesterday explained how some of its officers were attacked by hoodlums, leading to the death of one and another injured.
An Assistant Inspector of Customs, Solomon Alagye, died on Tuesday at the Customs patrol base at Oke Ore, Yewa-South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
It was learnt that residents of the border communities had used the opportunity of the ongoing protest to demand an end to the incessant killings by operatives of the NSC in the area.
A witness account said a bullet fired by one of the Customs officers while chasing suspected smugglers hit a yet-to-be identified protester and he died immediately.
Miffed by the incident, the youths reportedly attacked the NCS officers with sticks, killed one, and injured another.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Hammed Oloyede, in a statement on Wednesday, said the officers were attacked with guns, machetes, axes, charms, and other weapons.
He said the officer who sustained gunshot injuries is responding to treatment at the 192 Brigade Military Hospital, Owode.
Oloyede said “in addition to the fatal shooting of our officers, the hoodlums also damaged two Customs patrol vehicles and set another one ablaze. The hoodlums further escalated their mayhem and eventually looted all valuable items including Customs uniform in the said patrol base.
“These unprovoked attacks are coming on the heels of the directives of the Customs Area Controller to officers on the need to exercise caution and restrain themselves in all operations to avoid chaos that may ensue due to the ongoing EndSARS protest. While officers heeded this proactive call, unfortunately, they were brutally attacked by some enemies of the state.
“The Customs Area Controller while expressing his utmost dismay on this unfortunate development commiserates with the family and colleagues of the deceased officer who died gallantly in active service. He further prays for the recuperation of the injured officer.
“He also promised to ensure that the attackers and murderers of the Customs personnel will be fished out and brought to justice.
“To this end, the CAC also uses this opportunity to call on parents, guardians, community leaders and opinion-molders to caution their wards to desist from attacking Customs personnel.”
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