Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) were overran on Thursday at the checkpoints and outstations in a coordinated attacks by smugglers and some hoodlums at Ihunbo, Ilaro and Imeko communities of Ogun State.
Our correspondent gathered that the smugglers in connivance with hoodlums, armed with dangerous weapons reportedly invaded all the checkpoints and outstations of NCS in three local government areas of Ogun state – Ipokia, Yewa North and Imeko-Afon and set ablaze their tents.
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In the process, it was gathered that the customs officers retreated giving the smugglers a field day as they succeeded in bringing in bags of rice with motorcycles from the neighbouring country into Nigeria.
A source told Daily Trust that the operations spanned four hours while the customs officers scampered for safety while others took a cover.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, NSC Ogun Area Command I, Hammed Oloyede said “If we had engaged them, the narrative will be customs killing people because of what is going on at the moment.
“Truly, they are hoodlums, but no one will believe us if we take action.
“Hoodlums attacked our checkpoints, patrol base and outstations, they have burnt our tents. Smuggling is going on in broad daylight and our officers are getting attacked in Ihunbo, Ilaro, Imeko.”
He also said there was a plan by the hoodlums to attack their sentry in Idi-Iroko, which prompted them to beef up security around the place.
