One dies, as Customs intercepts military truck-head in Ogun

Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Command has shot one person dead in an ambush with some suspected smugglers at Ebute along Ilaro-Ojodan, Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that the operatives had trailed a military truck-head reportedly smuggled into Nigeria to the community, but the Customs officers met a brick wall in an attempt to secure the contraband.

It was further gathered that the suspected smugglers had mobilised residents of the community against the operatives who resisted the hostility.

Our correspondent was informed that in the process, there was an encounter between the suspected smugglers and Customs officer, leading to the killing of a 25-year-old man, simply identified as Kehinde, according to a witness account.

The victim who was said to be a farmer was reportedly hit by the bullet while on his farmland.

However, the Command’s spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement made available to our correspondent, confirmed the incident, saying “during the encounter, one of the hoodlums was shot at the upper part of his leg (pelvic girdle) and consequently died.”

He disclosed that the truck-head has been secured at Customs House in Abeokuta for further investigation.

Maiwada added that normalcy has returned to the community following the intervention of Police and Military personnel.

“Finally, we wish to commend the patriotic role of our sister agencies, traditional leaders, eminent personalities and some host communities who have always partnered with us in our quest to effectively secure our nation”, he said.