The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara Area Command came under attack by hoodlums with an obvious intention of looting and setting government properties ablaze on Friday, an official has disclosed.
There was about forty minutes exchange of gun fire leading to serious injuries of two officers who are currently responding to treatment in customs hospital.
A total of 24 motorcycles and one Keke Napep meant to move seized items out of the command were intercepted by officers and men during the encounter.
According to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Office, Chado Zakari, the hoodlums came in large numbers armed with guns, machetes, axes, charms and other dangerous weapons with an attempt to unleash mayhem to the command.
The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmed Hussaini Bello was quoted in the release calling for immediate reinforcement from the Nigerian Army, while in office as the time of the attack.
On the other hand, all efforts by the Customs boss to address the hoodlums to douse the tensed atmosphere at the command’s gate proved abortive.
The statement also added that officers were left with no option than to response appropriately to spontaneous attack unleashed by the hoodlums.
” It is important to state that 24 motorcycles and one Keke Napep meant to move goods out of the command were seized during the encounter.
“To this end, the Customs Area Controller hereby seized this opportunity to call on parents, guardians, community leaders, Religious leaders and opinion-molders to caution their wards on the dangers of towing the path of extreme illegality and anarchy.
“The Command will do everything humanly possible within the ambit of the law to protect government properties and ensure that peace prevail against all odds.
“It is important to reiterate that officers of the Nigeria Customs Service are only implementers of Federal Government Policies in the overall interest of national growth and development.
“Finally, the hostility by hoodlums and their accomplices will never be a distraction in discharging our statutory responsibilities. “It stated.
