Customs officers, smugglers clash in Ogun, onlooker killed

A bystander was fat@lly struck by a stray bullet when some Nigerian Customs Service officers and smugglers clashed in the Obada Idi-Emi area of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State on Monday, Nov. 25.

The violent confrontation began earlier in the day, with gunshots ringing out, throwing the community into panic.

As both sides exchanged gunfire, a resident identified as Kazeem was k!lled by a stray bullet.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Services, Hammed Oloyede, confirmed the incident to Punch. Oloyede said officers of the command had received intelligence about a smuggling activity of some foreign rice and they trailed the vehicle.

He added that when the driver of the vehicle observed that he had been trailed, he abandoned the smuggled item and the vehicle in a bid to evade arrest and fled the scene.

He said: “On Monday, November 25, 2024, at about 1109hrs, the operatives of Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun Area 1 Command received credible information on a Mazda 323 laden with bags of Imported rice. A surveillance team was deployed in a private vehicle to trail and give real-time updates on the Information.

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“Upon confirmation, The team with the official patrol vehicle swung into action along the bush paths of Owode-Obada and intercepted one MAZDA 323 loaded with foreign rice of 50kg each at the said Owode Obada axis. The driver abandoned the vehicle upon sighting the official patrol vehicle and managed to evade arrest.

“While conveying the intercepted vehicle with foreign rice to the Government Warehouse for documentation, the intercepted vehicle broke down at Obada town. Given the volatile nature of the area, the team leader directed that the intercepted rice be evacuated into the official patrol Hilux.”

He added that some suspected hoodlums attacked the officers while they were transloading the seized contraband which led to a free-for-all between the officers and the hoodlums.

The Ogun Customs PRO added that during the ensuing melee, the customs officers fled the scene to ensure their safety. One officer (pictured above) was injured.

Oloyede said that an investigation has commenced into the matter.

Customs officers, smugglers clash in Ogun, onlooker killed

Gunmen abduct three people from Anambra community

Gunmen terrorising Nigeria’s South-East region have abducted three persons in Anambra State.

The victims were abducted near the Innoson Motorcycle Showroom along Onitsha-Owerri Road end in the Nnewi North Local Government Area of the State.

A local privy to the incident said it occurred late on Tuesday, as the victims were driving along the road.

One of the sources said, “The three persons were in a vehicle when armed men suddenly blocked them with their vehicle. They ordered the victims to alight and as they alight, they forced them into their vehicle and immediately zoomed off.

“One of the assailants entered into their victims’ vehicle and also drove off and driving behind the other vehicle the victims were in. The incident, which happened within a split of seconds created panic on the road and around the vicinity. Because it was already dark, we couldn’t get the exact picture of what the vehicles look like.”

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The Anambra State Police Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

He said the police were already working with information obtained from the scene for the ongoing rescue operations.

Ikenga said, “Anambra Joint Security Forces are on the offensive for possible rescue unhurt of three abducted victims and arrest of the abductors today, 26/11/2024 by 6:45 pm at Innoson Motorcycle Showroom along Owerri Road, Nnewi.

“The police command is determined and is already working with information obtained from the scene for the ongoing rescue operations.

“The command also urged residents or anyone with useful information that will aid the investigation to come forward to the Command headquarters, Awka, or the nearest police station

Gunmen abduct three people from Anambra community

Drama as Yahaya Bello calms supporters after judge storms out of court over rowdiness

Judge Maryann Anenih of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court abruptly exited the courtroom due to the unruly behavior of Yahaya Bello’s numerous supporters.

The former Kogi governor faced a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering on November 27.

Bello pleaded not guilty to the majority of the charges.

Prior to the proceedings, Bello’s supporters overwhelmed the courtroom, causing security operatives to struggle with crowd control.

Many journalists were denied entry to the courtroom as tensions escalated.

Judge Anenih entered to take the pleas of Bello and his co-defendants but departed abruptly, stating she wouldn’t return until order was restored.

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Shortly after the judge’s exit, Bello approached the agitated crowd and directed them to leave the courtroom.

With outstretched arms, Bello successfully instructed his supporters to vacate their seats and exit. His followers obeyed, leaving the courtroom one by one.

To maintain order, a smiling Bello sat at the entrance, ensuring none of his supporters re-entered.

The EFCC apprehended Bello on November 26, following an April declaration of his wanted status.

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