Some suspected smugglers have attacked and vandalised the operational vehicle of the Nigerian Customs Service, Ogun Area Command along Idi-Iroko.
Speaking about the attack, the Comptroller of Customs, Ogun area Command, Sani Madugu said his men have blocked all the routes of the smugglers in villages and in the forest to prevent them from sabotaging the economy of the country.
For some months now, men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun area Command have been checking the excesses of the smugglers along Owode/Idi-Iroko area.
The watertight security at the border area seems to have been affecting the smugglers as they now find it difficult to smuggle goods and cars.
Some of them have resorted to the use of commercial motorcycle to transport smuggled rice into the country but the Customs continue to stop them in their tracks, leading to the attack.
The Comptroller said the command will resist further attacks and declare total war on commercial motorcyclists who specialise in transporting rice in border areas.
He noted that they have since raided the hideouts of the smugglers and recovered 17 motorcycles, cars stocked with bags of rice and other contraband goods.
The customs boss maintained that his officers will continue to respect people’s rights but will defend and protect themselves against further attacks.
He appealed to parents to warn their children not to venture into illegal trade that is capable of affecting the economy of the country negatively.
