Our men came under smugglers’ attack, Ogun customs explains… 

The Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday said that the viral video depicting shooting by its officers was recorded on Saturday around the Lafenwa/Enu Gada axis of Abeokuta while the officers were repelling attacks mobilised against them by some smugglers.

The Public Relations Officer of Ogun 1 Area Command, Hammed Oloyede, disclosed this in a statement sent to journalists while clarifying the action in the viral video.

Oloyede said that the command’s operatives were evacuating smuggled goods from two faulty vehicles used as means of conveyance around the area when they came under the attack of some hoodlums mobilised by the smugglers.

He explained that the seriousness of the attack which happened around 7:15 am forced the officers to call for reinforcement after which they were able to successfully leave with the seized goods to the command’s warehouse in Abeokuta.

The statement partly reads, “On Saturday, December 16, 2023, along the Lanfewa/Enu Gada axis of Ogun State, the operatives of Ogun 1 Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, while evacuating some smuggled goods from two faulty vehicles used as means of conveyance, came under attack by hoodlums who were suspected to have been mobilised by the smugglers of the unwholesome goods.

“The seriousness of the attack and the threat to officers’ lives led to a call for reinforcement. During the melee that ensued at about 0715 hours of that day, our operatives repelled the attack to safeguard their lives. They left the scene with the secured seizure and prevented the hoodlums from further attack till they finally exited the area.

“The seizure was successfully conveyed to the government warehouse at Customs House, Abeokuta, without any casualty.”

Oloyede added that the command, under the leadership of the Ag. Customs Area Controller, Ahmadu Shuaibu, values the lives of its host communities and frowns at the arbitrary use of firearms.

He, however, said that in situations with a severe threat to life, the officers might be forced to apply the rules of engagement evoked for self-protection.