Customs confirms killing of suspected smuggler in Badagry

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has confirmed the accidental killing of a rice smuggler in the Badagry area of Lagos State.  The public relations officer, FOU, Zone A, Mr Theophilus Duniya, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Badagry.  Duniya said a group of […]

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, has confirmed the accidental killing of a rice smuggler in the Badagry area of Lagos State.

 The public relations officer, FOU, Zone A, Mr Theophilus Duniya, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Badagry.

 Duniya said a group of men armed with charms and machetes attacked the team while evacuating smuggled rice.

 “They injured a customs officer in the face and a soldier on the leg.

 “Our personnel, acting in self-defence, neutralised the leader of the gang to prevent him from inflicting more injuries on them.

 “The gang leader was evacuated for immediate medical attention but he unfortunately died on the way to the hospital,” he said.

 Daniya urged parents and community leaders to discourage their children from engaging in criminal activities that could put their wellbeing and other citizens at risk.

 NAN reports that the incident occurred on Sunday when the middle-aged smuggler and his gang allegedly attacked the customs officers.

 It was learnt that the incident took place in Erekiti, a border town  in  the Badagry area around 4am.

 NAN gathered from locals that the late smuggler, Saka Wakilu, was the leader of the gang. (NAN)