Three Dies As custom And Smugglers Clash

No fewer than three persons were shot dead and others injured when Customs officers clashed with suspected smugglers at the Alakuko area of Lagos.

It was gathered that some Customs officers from Federal Operations Unit, Zone A’ were chasing suspected smugglers, who were conveying rice in a truck.
The Customs officials allegedly shot at the vehicle, killing three persons.


It was, however, learnt that policemen from the Alakuko Division tried to apprehend the Customs officers, who allegedly shot sporadically to scare away the police and other sympathisers, who tried to arrest the trigger-happy Customs officer.

The Custom men had escaped from the scene with the vehicle conveying the rice.
Sympathisers, including street-urchins then took to the streets, protesting against the death of the three suspected smugglers.

Hoodlums hijacked the protest and started molesting motorists and other passersby on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

Some vehicles windscreens were smashed and there was traffic gridlock along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway as the hoodlums barricaded the road.
When newsmen visited the area, there was, momentarily, a total breakdown of law and order.

The Lagos State police Command had frowned at the actions of the trigger-happy Customs officials, as their actions created panic and apprehension in the entire Alagbado and Alakuko area.

An eye-witness, John Ogbu, said: “It was around 7:00 a.m., I was standing in front of my shop when all of a sudden, I saw two vehicles driving recklessly and they were being pursued by a Customs patrol vehicle. “The Custom officials were firing at the vehicles. Some passersby were hit by bullets.