By Fredrick Wright

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Command, has narated their ordeals in the hands of hoodlums who hijacked the EndSARS protest and attacked Customs formations along the Idiroko, Obele and Imeko borders and forced the borders open to engage in massive smuggling.

  The Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Compt. Michael Agbara, who disclosed this during a press conference, narrated the vicious attacks they suffered which resulted in the death of an officer (AIC Solomon Alayge) while others were injured, and personnel belongings looted.

  Agbara said:  “In the early hours of Thursday, 22nd of October, 2020 many of our patrol teams were attacked, their patrol bases were vandalized and set ablaze. Our Officers and Men were trapped as a result of the multiple attacks suffered along Oja-Odan, Ilaro (along Ilaro/Oja- Odan/Obele border), Ihunbo, Adisba, Owode (along Idiroko axis), Ijoun and Imeko.

  “Many of our personnel’s belongings including uniforms and other valuables were looted. Many of our patrol vehicles were vandalized.

  “As what seemed to be a premeditated action, the hoodlums/smugglers in large numbers seized the opportunity of the security challenge which made all security agencies focused on protecting their operatives and facilities at that period, to embark on massive smuggling of rice and vehicles for about three days,” he said.

    He said the Command intensified effort by strengthening her workforce with reinforcement from the military.

  Agbara mentioned that the command, during the third quarter of the year 2020 recorded 420 seizures which had a total Duty Paid Value of N397,076,991.

  ‘’We wish to reiterate that the continued attack on operatives of NCS and other sister agencies will not deter us from the continued performance of our legitimate duties,’’ he said.

By Fredrick Wright

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Command, has narated their ordeals in the hands of hoodlums who hijacked the EndSARS protest and attacked Customs formations along the Idiroko, Obele and Imeko borders and forced the borders open to engage in massive smuggling.

  The Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command, Compt. Michael Agbara, who disclosed this during a press conference, narrated the vicious attacks they suffered which resulted in the death of an officer (AIC Solomon Alayge) while others were injured, and personnel belongings looted.

  Agbara said:  “In the early hours of Thursday, 22nd of October, 2020 many of our patrol teams were attacked, their patrol bases were vandalized and set ablaze. Our Officers and Men were trapped as a result of the multiple attacks suffered along Oja-Odan, Ilaro (along Ilaro/Oja- Odan/Obele border), Ihunbo, Adisba, Owode (along Idiroko axis), Ijoun and Imeko.

  “Many of our personnel’s belongings including uniforms and other valuables were looted. Many of our patrol vehicles were vandalized.

  “As what seemed to be a premeditated action, the hoodlums/smugglers in large numbers seized the opportunity of the security challenge which made all security agencies focused on protecting their operatives and facilities at that period, to embark on massive smuggling of rice and vehicles for about three days,” he said.

    He said the Command intensified effort by strengthening her workforce with reinforcement from the military.

  Agbara mentioned that the command, during the third quarter of the year 2020 recorded 420 seizures which had a total Duty Paid Value of N397,076,991.

  ‘’We wish to reiterate that the continued attack on operatives of NCS and other sister agencies will not deter us from the continued performance of our legitimate duties,’’ he said.