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Three Customs officers and a soldier were injured after they were attacked by smugglers in Igbo Ora, Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State.
A statement signed on Saturday by the spokesman of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Theophilus Duniya, said the incident happened about 8pm on Friday night.
“The injured Customs Officers who are operatives of the Zone A, Federal Operations Unit, on Friday sighted eight trucks carrying smuggled foreign parboiled rice. When trying to stop the trucks, the passengers who accompanied the trucks fully armed, launched an attack on the officers.
“One of the attackers was shot and disarmed while the others retreated with their smuggled wares.
“While investigations are ongoing to arrest and prosecute the attackers, all the attacked Customs Officers and soldier, including one that was shot in the head, are receiving treatment.
“Acting Controller of the Unit, DC Usman Yahaya, condemns the attack and reiterates the uncompromising resolve of the Service to suppress smuggling.
“The Unit, according to the Acting Controller, will never relent or be intimidated by this unwarranted attacks by criminal elements unlawfully bearing arms and unleashing same on officers on legitimate duties,” the statement read.