Suspected smugglers perpetrated a violent assault on officers stationed at the Adamawa/Taraba Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC).
Naomi Titus, the public relations officer of the command, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday, March 23, 2024. She revealed that one officer sustained severe injuries during the attack.
According to Titus, the Nigeria Customs Service officers had been relentlessly striving for effective border management and to curb smuggling activities along the nation’s borders. On Sunday, March 17, 2024, officers from the Adamawa/Taraba Command engaged in a pursuit of smugglers on the Mubi-Sahuda road in a bid to prevent smuggling activities at the territorial borders.
During the operation, the officers intercepted three tricycles loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) suspected to be destined for smuggling into the Republic of Cameroon. However, the smugglers fiercely resisted the interception, launching a violent attack in an attempt to set both the officers and their official vehicles ablaze. Fortunately, timely reinforcement from the Nigerian Army prevented a potential disaster.
Despite the resistance encountered, the team managed to secure, evacuate, and seize 45x25L jerry cans of PMS.
Titus emphasized that these efforts are part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders and curbing illegal smuggling activities.
