The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, has confirmed the accidental death of a smuggler in the Badagry area of Lagos State.
The Public Relations Officer for FOU Zone A, Theophilus Duniya, confirmed this in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Badagry.
Duniya detailed that a group of men, armed with charms and machetes, launched an attack on the customs team while they were seizing smuggled rice.
“They injured a customs officer in the face and a soldier on the leg,” Duniya reported.
In response, the personnel, acting in self-defense, neutralized the leader of the gang to prevent further harm.
“The gang leader was evacuated for immediate medical attention but unfortunately, died on the way to the hospital,” he said.
Duniya urged parents and community leaders to dissuade their children from participating in criminal activities that could endanger their lives and the safety of others.
The incident was said to have transpired on Sunday when the middle-aged smuggler and his gang allegedly ambushed the customs officers.
The incident, which took place around 4 a.m. in Erekiti, a border town in the Badagry area, led to the death of Saka Wakilu, identified by locals as the gang leader.
