Armed smugglers butcher customs operative in Ogun

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun State Area Command, said yesterday that one of its operatives, Muhammed Maigari, was macheted by armed smugglers at Ibeji River, around Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis in Ipokia Council.

The victim, the command said, was under intensive medical attention.

Spokesman of the Command, Abdullahi Maiwada, who spoke to journalists in Abeokuta, yesterday, said the incident occurred on Wednesday, adding: “The vehicle was intercepted and the smugglers attacked the operatives.”

Maigari, who is attached to the Federal Operations Unit, but posted to the Idiroko border axis, was said to have been dealt a life- threatening cut on his left upper arm by the smugglers.

He and some of his colleagues were said to have been on routine patrol when they got an intelligence report that some smugglers were coming with a smuggled Toyota Highlander towards the Ibeji River, upon which they rushed to the scene to intercept the vehicle.

Maiwada said the smugglers’ attempt to disarm Maigari was unsuccessful and they attempted to smash his head with the machete, but he blocked it with his arm, resulting in a “life-threatening” cut on his left upper arm, adding: “The smugglers were armed and they confronted our operatives, but since we did not want any loss of lives, our operatives successfully intercepted the Toyota Highlander being smuggled through the forest.

“It (the seized car) is currently in the command’s custody at Sentry, Idiroko border. The command will not relent in curbing smuggling activities around Idiroko border and Ogun State as a whole.”

Maiwada said Maigari was first rushed to the General Hospital at Idiroko for treatment, but later transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, for comprehensive treatment.