1st February, 2016
Jeff Ezemadu
There was a bloody clash between the men of the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Command, and smugglers over the weekend at Ibereko area of Badagry, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria.
An eye witness who identified himself as Ayo Hungbo, an indigene of the area, said the Customs officials intercepted a truck said to be carrying tiles and another small car fully loaded with turkey (poultry products).
According to him, a heated argument ensued when the smugglers disallowed the Customs officials from taking the vehicles back to Seme.
As the argument continued, the smugglers continued to swell in number and they started enjoying the support of some youths he described as ‘car flyers’.
He added: “This led to a big fracas and the Customs officials started firing in the air to scare the intimidating crowd. The shooting resulted in pandemonium and all sorts of missiles started flying in the air. As we ran for our dear lives, we were told two people lost their lives.
“Although the men of OP MESSA arrived on time to save the Customs officials from being lynched, credit should go to the traditional ruler of Ibereko kingdom, His Majesty, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya, Okiki Ola 1. If the royal father had not intervened, it would have been more devastating than what we have seen.”
An officer who spoke on condition of anonymity said it was a premeditated attack.
He said, “for sometime now, we have been under threat by car smugglers whose activities we have put in permanent check, especially since the coming of the new Comptroller, Victor Dimka.
“No matter what they do, no one or group can intimidate us from carrying out our constitutional duties.”
He wondered why they face severe attacks each time they want to carry out their job, saying if not for God, he would have been dead by now.