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By Steve Agbota
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), yesterday, said it repelled an attack on members of its patrol team that include Customs and military personnel, while on legitimate anti-smuggling operations in Badagry, Lagos State.
In a statement made available to newsmen, the unit’s Public Relations Officer, Theophilus Duniya, said the smugglers attacked Customs patrol team with charms and machetes while evacuating seized smuggled foreign parboiled rice.
Duniya said a Customs officer and a personnel of the Nigerian Army were, however, injured in the attack, which occurred on Sunday.
“The FOU Zone A, Ikeja, has confirmed an incident that occurred on Sunday morning, June 2, 2024, at approximately 0300 hours. A joint patrol team, comprising FOU A personnel and some soldiers, intercepted a boat carrying smuggled rice and vehicles by the waterside in Badagry, Lagos State.
“While evacuating the goods, a group of men, led by an individual armed with charms and a machete, attacked the team, injuring a Customs officer in the face and a soldier on the leg.
The personnel, acting in self-defence, maimed the leader of the gang to prevent him from inflicting more injuries on the personnel and was evacuated for immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, he later died en route to the hospital,” he said.
Duniya added that the Customs Area Controller of the Unit, Compt. Kola Oladeji, urged parents and community leaders to discourage their children and wards from engaging in criminal activities that could put their well-being and other citizens at risk.
The Comptroller of FOU A, Kola Oladeji, commended the army and Customs personnel for their bravery and professional conduct in the face of a dangerous attack. He reiterated the unit’s commitment to combating smuggling and urged parents and community leaders to discourage their wards from engaging in criminal activities that could put their well-being and other citizens at risk.
