Customs kill one during shootout with rice smugglers in Badagry

By: Manoah Kikekon

The Nigeria Customs Federal Operative Unit (FOU) Agbara, under UC Gawi's command, with the Nigerian Army, has killed one person and intercepted over 500 rice in Erekiti community in Badagry.

The incident occurred at about 4am on Sunday, where the Nigerian Customs intercepted rice Smuggled along the community.

An eyewitness told journalist that, "the Customs had come earlier in the day and had lodged in one Deyon's house in Erekiti and waited for the smugglers. By the time the smugglers started moving their rice, the customs had intercepted the rice. 

"Saka Idowu Wakilu was called upon to come and intervene. Getting there after discussion, I don't know exactly what Wakilu said to one of the customs officers. They started firing gun at Wakilu in an attempt to escape, the customs officer shot Wakilu in the back.

"After he fell on the floor, we pleaded that he should be released for treatment, but the customs took him with them. We kept telling them that they should not allow him to die, but the customs insisted that they would not release him. Around 6am Wakilu died, The customs took his corpse to Badagry General Hospital and deposited his copse there." He said.

The Customs were said to have also went away with over 500 bags of rice, another eyewitness said.

In a phone conversation with Dr. Olutunde Bakare, the Director General Badagry General Hospital, he confirmed that the body of Wakilu was delivered to the mogul of the general hospital and that he can not disclose the circumstances surrounding his death.

At the time this news was gathered, all means to reach the customs spokesperson were not successful.