Nigerian Custom Services Zone A, has said that the unfortunate incident which led to the death of four people was a a reaction mob attack on the officers
Four residents of Iseyin were on Thursday killed by custom officers while engaging in a gun duel with Smugglers.
According to an eye witness, one of the victims was fixing his motorcycle tyre whej he was hit by the bullet while another one , a vulcanizer was hit while on duty .They were killed at Oja Oba area of the town.
The spokesperson for the zone Theophilus Duniya in a statement on Friday, explained that the mob attacked the officers with dangerous weapons which led to the infliction of serious injuries on two officers.
He said maintained that the officers on routine patrol intercepted two Nissan Pathfinder SUV vehicles fully loaded with smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Iseyin.
He said the mob attempted to abduct one of the officers who was brutally attacked.
“At about 1500 hours of Thursday, 13th May 2021 some daredevil smugglers mobilized themselves with the help of some thugs; attacked a patrol team serving with Federal Operations Unit Zone A, who were on lawful duty at Iseyin.
“The officers who were on routine patrol intercepted two Nissan Pathfinder SUV vehicles fully loaded with smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Iseyin. Sequel to the interception, the officers were attacked by a mob who were mobilized by the smugglers.
“The mob attacked the officers with dangerous weapons which led to the infliction of serious injuries on two officers. In an attempt to abduct one of the officers who was brutally attacked.
“The assailants had taken the injured officer with his rifle before his team members acted in self-defence, shot at his suspected abductors leading to the death of three of them before he was rescued and taken for immediate medical attention.
“The officers were able to successfully evacuate the intercepted smuggled rice, while the injured officers are currently receiving treatment.
“The Acting Controller of the Unit, DC Usman Yahaya, is sad about the avoidable incident and urges community leaders and parents to call their wards and youths to order.
“While appealing for compliance to extant rules, he assures of the resolve of his men to remain resolute on discharging their duties in the best interest of Nigerians.”
