Hoodlums and smugglers on Thursday chased men of the Nigeria Customs Service away from their patrol bases , checkpoints and outstations in Ihunbo , Ilaro and Imeko in Ogun State .
The weapon - bearing hoodlums reportedly invaded all the NCS checkpoints and outstations in the Ipokia , Yewa North and Imeko- Afon local government areas of Ogun State and set ablaze Customs officers ’ tents.
They subsequently had a field day smuggling bags of rice on motorcycles from a neighbouring country into the country.
An eyewitness said , “ They were many , carrying bags of rice and contraband goods into the country.
“ They were armed with cutlasses and guns, but there was no shooting,
“ The Customs men fled their duty posts and took cover . As I speak to you , the smuggling has been ongoing for over four hours . ”
The eyewitness said the hoodlums went into jubilation after sacking the Customs officials from their checkpoints .
“ The atmosphere was just like people celebrating the overthrow of a government . You cannot separate the smugglers from hoodlums and businessmen ; they were celebrating the fact that Customs are off the road . It is either the border was opened to them or they opened it themselves . ”
When contacted , the Public Relations Officer, NCS , Ogun Command 1 , Hammed Oloyede , confirmed the attack .
Oloyede said the hoodlums attacked their the NCS patrol bases , checkpoints and outstations under the disguise of protesting against brutality by security agents .
He said , “ Hoodlums attacked our checkpoints , patrol bases and outstations ; they have burnt our tents. Smuggling is going on in broad daylight and our officers are getting attacked in Ihunbo , Ilaro and Imeko.
“ We are looking at them now because if we engage them , the narrative will be Customs are killing people because of what is going on at the moment . Truly, they are hoodlums , but no one will believe us if we take action .
“ We got information that they are coming to attack us in Idi - Iroko . There is no report yet at Ipokia . ”
He added that the hoodlums also attempted to attack the customs warehouse at the border , but were resisted.
Oloyede said he made efforts to reach out to two prominent monarchs in the areas to caution their subjects but he could not get through to them .
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