How Smugglers Attacked Nigerian Customs Office In Kebbi, Damaged Vehicles, Carted Away Seized Foodstuffs

Authorities have confirmed that the office of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in the Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State was attacked by hoodlums.

During the attack which occurred on Thursday night, one officer was injured and property including vehicles were damaged, according to a statement by the Command's spokesman Mohammed Salisu.

The statement partly read: “During the late hours of Thursday, March 21, 2024, at about 2310 hours, the combined team of Yauri outstation and surveillance were informed of a suspected smuggling activity at Yauri Waterside.

"Upon arriving at the scene, 41 bags of foreign parboiled rice were seized, secured, and taken to the outstation," he said.

The statement noted that afterwards, "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.

“Amid the attack, the OIC sustained a hand injury; 1 AK-47 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 Air Conditioner, chairs, tables, windows, doors, and other essentials put in place to support the operations of the outstation.”

The spokesman said that the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has intervened to douse tension, after he hosted the Customs Area Controller on the way forward.

Meanwhile, normalcy has since been restored.

“The Customs Area Controller, Iheanacho 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 added.