A Customs officer identified as Hamisu Sani, has been killed by suspected smugglers after himself and another colleague were ambushed at Asero community in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Sunday January 6th.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Command, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement released on Monday Janaury 7th, said the incident had occurred while the security operatives were on routine patrol in an attempt to secure smuggled rice into the state where eight vehicles loaded with bags of rice were intercepted.
During the encounter Hamisu Sani, sustained serious injuries and died, while Inspector of Customs, Tijani John Michel, barely escaped with serious machete cuts.
Two suspects have been arrested by the Police, while the eight vehicles loaded with smuggled rice have been secured in connection with the incident.
The statement reads partly
“Unfortunately during the encounter, one of the Officers a Customs Assistant I Hamisu Sani sustained grievous injuries and paid the supreme price (died) in active Service.
He has since been buried according Islamic rites.
Also, an Inspector of Customs Tijani John Michel sustained serious machete cut but is responding to treatment in the hospital. Meanwhile, two suspects have been arrested by police and eight vehicles fully loaded with smuggled rice have been secured in connection with the incident at Customs House Abeokuta for further investigation.
While we commend the patriotic role of our sister Agencies and law-abiding citizens, we wish to categorically state that we will deploy all necessary apparatus to ensure that the perpetrators of this devilish act are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law.
“Finally, the reoccurrence of such form of hostilities and intimidation by smugglers and their accomplice on our Officers and Men will never distract us from vigorously discharging our statutory functions.”
