ZAINAB JUNAID
Suspected criminals were said to have launched attack on the Yauri outstation of the Nigeria Customs Service, Kebbi State, leaving a personnel with minor injury and vandalizing properties.
They were said to have also carted off 29 bags of foreign parboiled rice.
In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, Muhammed Tajudeen Salisu on Saturday for the Area Controller of the Command, the attack followed an anti smuggling activity carried out by combined team of Yauri outstation and surveillance in the late hours of Thursday, March 21, 2024 at about 2310 hours where 41 bags of foreign parboiled rice were seized, secured and taken to the outstation.
According to him, “a mob attack was launched by the aggrieved smugglers by way of mobilising hoodlums to attack the outpost.
“Upon sighting the mob, the management contacted the command and other sister agencies for reinforcement, which helped in containing the situation.
“In the midst of the attack, the OiC sustained a hand injury; 1 AK47 rifle was carted away but retrieved shortly; and 29 out of 41 bags of the seized rice were taken away by the attackers.
“The mob went further to vandalise the OiC personal vehicle, the outstation ACs, chairs, tables, windows, doors, and other essentials put in place to support the operations of the outstation.
“However, to subside and lower tension, Kebbi State Governor hosted the Customs Area Controller on the way forward, and normalcy has since been restored.
“The Customs Area Controller, Iheanacho Ernest Ojike, has been in touch with the Commissioner of Police, and so far, some arrests have been made and an investigation was launched in view of arresting and prosecuting the criminals,” he said.
