Six people were reportedly injured during a gun duel between men of the Nigerian Customs and fairly-used (Tokunbo) cars smugglers along Abeokuta-Omi Adio-Ibadan Expressway late Tuesday.
The incident, which led to pandemonium around the area, also left several vehicles damaged.
Sources said an attempt by the smugglers and some residents of the neighbourhood to attack men of the anti-smuggling agency prompted the custom officers to start firing as way to create for themselves a route of escape.
In an attempt to escape the gunfire from the customs officers, the smugglers resorted to reckless driving within the residential area, where some residents were injured in the process.
Omi-Adio residents said clashes between the two sides have become a routine and that the latest one forced many of them to hurriedly close their shops and run for cover.
The incident also led to a huge traffic, leaving motorists and commuters stranded, as some of the damaged vehicles along the expressway could not be evacuated until about two hours later.
Nigeria Customs Controller for Oyo, Osun Command, Hassan Mohammed, who confirmed the incident during a chat with newsmen in Ibadan yesterday, said the smugglers’ attack prompted the gun battle.
He said the smugglers fired at his men who intercepted their operations along Abeokuta-Ibadan expressway, describing the occurrence as a daily affair nowadays.
Daily gunfights
He explained that the Customs service is established to combat the activities of the smugglers who often resort to gun battle to beat security network.
For the residents, however, the experience is not a tea party. Some of them lamented the disturbing dimension it has become, as it imposes threat on the security of their lives and properties.
One of them noted that the area has become notorious for ferrying contraband to the country from the neighbouring Benin Republic, saying hundreds of tokunbo car were brought to into the country through the route everyday.
“When they are crossing, they move in a convoy of about 50 to hundred vehicles on very high speed as if their lives have a duplicate,” said a resident. “This road is now a fearful place because they have no regard for life and when they are being pursued by Customs men, they do not mind what will happen. They will face them shooting and destroying other people’s vehicles on the road.” Two of the vehicles were said to be impounded at the customs office in Ibadan, while an unconfirmed report said one of the officers injured during the battle is receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.
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