- A bystander was tragically killed during a clash between Nigerian Customs officers and smugglers in Imeko-Afon LGA, Ogun state
- The confrontation erupted as officers intercepted a vehicle loaded with smuggled foreign rice, leading to a violent altercation with suspected hoodlums
- Customs authorities confirmed the incident, announcing an investigation into the loss of life and damages caused during the scuffle
A bystander tragically lost his life during a violent confrontation between officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and suspected smugglers in the Obada Idi-Emi area of Imeko-Afon local government, Ogun state, on Monday, November 25, 2024.
The incident, confirmed by the public relations officer of the Ogun Area 1 command, Hammed Oloyede, unfolded in the early hours, leaving residents in fear as gunshots echoed through the area.
Eyewitness account
A local resident, speaking under anonymity, recounted the tense moments:
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“There was a violent confrontation between Nigerian Customs Service officers and suspected smugglers in Obada Idi Emi, Imeko-Afon. The clash occurred early this morning, with sporadic gunfire exchanged between the two groups. A resident identified as Kazeem was hit by a stray bullet and lost his life.”
Customs’ account of events
According to Oloyede, the clash originated from a smuggling attempt involving foreign rice. Acting on intelligence, customs officers intercepted a Mazda 323 vehicle laden with 50kg bags of imported rice.
“On Monday, November 25, 2024, at about 1109hrs, the operatives of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area 1 Command received credible information on a Mazda 323 laden with bags of Imported rice. A surveillance team was deployed in a private vehicle to trail and give real-time updates on the Information.
“Upon confirmation, The team with the official patrol vehicle swung into action along the bush paths of Owode-Obada and intercepted one MAZDA 323 loaded with foreign rice of 50kg each at the said Owode Obada axis. The driver abandoned the vehicle upon sighting the official patrol vehicle and managed to evade arrest.
“While conveying the intercepted vehicle with foreign rice to the Government Warehouse for documentation, the intercepted vehicle broke down at Obada town. Given the volatile nature of the area, the team leader directed that the intercepted rice be evacuated into the official patrol Hilux.”
During the melee, one bystander was said to have been killed, and two customs officers sustained injuries.
Oloyede confirmed that the command has launched an investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the loss of life and the property damage.
Soldier injured as customs, smugglers clash
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that a clash between smugglers and operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service in Ogun state has left one person dead.
According to the report, the clash occurred along the Sagamu Interchange/Abeokuta expressway in the southwest state.
No fewer than seven others were said to have been injured in the incident, among who were three customs officers and a soldier.
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Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
