Smugglers kill customs officer in Ogun

The Ogun State Command of Nigeria Customs Service has lost one of its officers to death in the hands of rice smugglers.

Late Hamisu Sani

According to a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command of Nigeria Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, the deceased officer, Hamisu Sani, was killed in the early hours of Sunday, when a customs patrol team intercepted eight reconstructed vehicles fully loaded with smuggled rice and kept in a hideout at Asero area of Abeokuta.

“In an attempt to lawfully secure the said items, the smugglers and their accomplice ambushed the officers in a deadly manner.

“Unfortunately, during the encounter, one of the officers, a Customs Assistant I, Hamisu Sani, sustained grievous injuries and paid the supreme price in active service. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites”, Maiwada said.

Meanwhile, an Inspector of Customs, Tijani John Michel, who sustained serious machete cut during the incident, is responding to treatment in the hospital.

In the aftermath of the incident, two suspects were arrested by the police, while eight vehicles fully loaded with smuggled rice were secured in connection with the incident at the Customs House, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

Customs Area Controller, Michael Agbara

Speaking with journalists at the Customs House, Abeokuta, the Customs Area Controller, Ogun State Command, Michael Agbara, condemned in strong terms the heinous crime committed by the smugglers, and vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

He warned smugglers to keep away from Ogun State, as the command will not give them a breathing space to continue their illicit activities.

Seized smuggled rice

Agbara commiserated with the family of the officer who died while serving his father land, and assured that compensation will be paid to the deceased’s family, as all customs officers are duly insured against death in active service.