[dropcap]D[/dropcap]are-devil smugglers have macheted an operative of Nigeria Customs Service,( NCS), Ogun State Area Command, Muhammed Maigari h at Ibeji River around Idogo-Ifoyintedo axis in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state. Grassroots Publishers gathered that, the victim who is currently on danger list at National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, was violently attacked by the smugglers on Wednesday during a routine patrol following information about illegal activities of the smugglers
The Command Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Maiwada who confirmed the ugly development to Grassroots Publishers on Friday, said the victim, “Is currently under intensive medical attention”, adding that the incident occurred on Wednesday.He said, Maigari who is attached to the Federal Operations Unit but posted to the Idiroko border axis, was said to have been dealt a life- threatening cut on his left upper arm by the smugglers.
‘Maigari and some of his colleagues were said to have been on routine patrol when they got an intelligence report that some smugglers were coming with a smuggled Toyota highlander towards the Ibeji River, and they rushed to the scene to intercept the vehicle’, he said.The command spokesman added that, the smugglers attempted to disarm Maigara but they were unsuccessful and decided to smash his head with the machete but he blocked it with his arm which resulted in a “Life-threatening” cut on his left upper arm.
“The cut was life- threatening. The smugglers were armed and they confronted our operatives. But since we did not want any loss of lives, our operatives successfully intercepted the Toyota highlander being smuggled through the forest”, Maiwada told journalists.“It (the seized car) is currently in the command’s custody at sentry, Idiroko border. The command will not relent in curbing smuggling activities around Idiroko border and Ogun State as a whole”, he emphasised
He said the victim was first rushed to the General Hospital at Idiroko for treatment but was later transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos for comprehensive treatment