Men of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, in the early hours of Tuesday, engaged smugglers in hot chase and exchange of gun fires along the Matogbun, Oke-Aro axis in Ifo Local government area of Ogun State.
The NCS officials numbering about 12, according to eye witness, intercepted three vehicles used by the smugglers close to the Energo Power transmission station, opposite the piggery between Oke Aro and Matogbun.
The smugglers which had the three vehicles stocked with bagged rice and vegetable oil, we’re reportedly pursued from the Sango Ota axis before nemesis caught up with them when one of the vehicles ran into a gutter, forcing all the vehicles in the convoy to a halt.
As at the time New Mail got to the scene, the smugglers and some of their cronies which had gathered engaged the Customs officials in hot argument.
However, sensing that the the surging crowd could overwhelm them, despite being armed, the NCS men called for reinforcement, with three vans loaded with fully armed customs officials storming the area.
as at the time of filing this report, the situation had subsided, but the seized goods have been driven away by the NCS officials.
A leader of the team, who declined to reveal his identity told our correspondent that the service would spare no effort at frustrating the smugglers, whose activities, he said is causing the Federal Government huge losses in terms of taxes and levies.
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