Three Customs officers killed by smugglers in one month

The Nigeria Customs Service says it lost three officers to smugglers attack with many sustaining serious injuries in the month of October.

Customs Public Relations Officer, Comptroller Joseph Attah, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday decried what he called conspiracy of silence concerning the deaths of Customs anti-smuggling operatives.

He said, “In no distant past, we heard loud voices criticising NCS about injuries and purported killings of some Nigerians in clear cases of violence against officers performing their legitimate duties.

“Those voices seem no longer loud in condemning the murder of Customs officers. The Service within October 2021, lost 3 operatives with many sustaining serious injuries.

“Premised on trump up charges of ” invasion and burning of houses at a village” some supposedly responsible individuals are going to town with write ups that sweeps officers deaths under the carpet while dwelling on an allegation that has been debunked by the NCS with verifiable evidence.”

Attah urged Nigerians to rise against smugglers’ increasing tendency to resort to violence to pull through their criminal acts stating that those who support criminality by either physically attacking officers or pushing narratives that strengthen smugglers are enemies of state and should be seen as such, no matter their claim of “defending fellow citizens”

“We refuse to be intimidated by these merchants of violence. We remain focused on the job of ensuring that nothing that is capable of compromising national security and economy is allowed entry or exit,” the statement said.

Attah therefore urged well-meaning Nigerians not to be distracted by the selective “concern” for human life and continue to support the Service to serve the country better.