Customs says murder of Officer will not deter fight against smuggling, orders investigation 

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Even as an officer of the command was murder by suspected smugglers in Owode area of Ogun State, DC Hussein Ejibunu has said his men will not be cowed in their fight against smuggling activities in the command.

Ejibunu, the Acting Controller of Federal Operations Unit Zone A, said the killing will not deter FOU Zone A, under his leadership, from carrying out its statutory functions in the interest of national security and economy.

He therefore directed investigation into the murder of the customs operatives who is in the rank of Customs Assistant 1 on Saturday night at Owode.

The unit Zone A boss reiterated his Command’s resolve to keep suppressing smuggling and arresting perpetrators of such criminal activity.

He said the killing will not deter the FOU under his leadership, from carrying out its statutory functions in the interest of national security and economy.

Added that seizures of smuggled wares and arrest of suspects will continue unless the perpetrators embrace a change of heart and do legitimate trades.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Customs Public Relations Officer, FOU Zone A, Mr. Theophilus Duniya said the driver was killed during an operation after two vehicles laden with smuggled foreign parboiled rice were seized and being taken to Lagos.

According to the statement, in the course of the movement, one of the vehicles developed mechanical fault and was being fixed when the suspected smugglers mobilised in large numbers with arms, charms, stones and other dangerous objects to attack the officers leading to the death of the deceased officer.

“The body of the deceased has been deposited in a mortuary while investigations have commenced”, it added.