Smuggler Killed in Attempt to Disarm Customs Officer
At the wee hours of Monday 21st October, 2019 at about 0200Hours, Officers of Nigeria Customs Service Ogun Command on routine patrol intercepted a vehicle conveying prohibited items suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria.
At the initial stage, the suspected smuggler conveying the aforementioned items took to his heels and later mobilised his compatriots for a mob action against lawful officers.
In the process, the suspected smuggler and owner of the smuggled items engaged an armed officer in physical battle in a bid to disarmed him.
In the ensuing struggle, the officer appropriately exercised his superior power in self defence leading to the death of the yet to be identified smuggler.
As at the time of filling this report, the deceased have been deposited in an undisclosed mortuary, while the exhibit is secured in Government Warehouse pending further investigation.
It is however important to finally reiterate that Nigeria Customs as a leading agency in collaboration with other agencies are only implementing Federal Government Policies.
The general public are advised to be law abiding and avoid any confrontation that may lead to such avoidable incident. Furthermore, it is emphatically clear that the rules of engagement specifically permit proper officer to defend himself when his live is evidently in danger.
ABDULLAHI MAIWADA
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE
OGUN I AREA COMMAND
