5 Feared Dead In Customs, Smugglers Gun Battle

At least five persons were feared dead yesterday
when men of the Ogun State Command of Nigeria
Customs Service (NCS) engaged in a shoot out
with smugglers around Oju-Ore area of Ota in the
Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State.
LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that the Customs
officers have been on the trail of the smugglers
from Owode area in Yewa South local government
before cornering them at Oju-Ore.
An eye witness told our correspondent that the
smugglers had successfully smuggled in three
expensive cars including a 2014 model Range
Rover before the Shootout at Ota.
The gun duel which reportedly lasted for about 45
minutes left the five people injured. They were
rushed to the General hospital in Ota.
A local government worker who spoke with our
correspondent revealed that the smugglers are
popular in the area and worked under a leader
known as Agarawu.
He also alleged that Agarawu has always been
negotiating with the officers to carry out his illicit
trade adding that the negotiation must have gone
bad hence the shooting incident.
The Source explained that it took the intervention
of the State special combined security outfit called
‘OP Mesa’ and men of the Special Anti-Robbery
Squad to douse the tension in the area.
As at the time of filling in this report, the source
explained that men of the Customs and the
smugglers were sighted at the hospital where the
injured were being attended to.
While contacted, the Customs Public Relations
Officer, Usman Abdullahi said he was not aware of
the development but would get back after
investigation.
“I am not aware of that to my knowledge, but I will
do my investigation and findings and whatever it
is, I will get you posted,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi
did not respond to calls put across to his mobile
number, neither did he respond to the text
message sent to him.