The Controller Ogun Area Command of Nigeria Customs,Comptroller Michael Agbara has called on the traditional ruler of Owode Yewa, Oba M. S Akindele and leaders of the Community to caution thier youths from attacking Customs officers on their legitimate duties.
He made the call in an interview just as the citizens and inhabitants of Owode Yewa issued a communique signed by the Olu Owode in Council demanding that the killer -Customs officers be identified within 24 hours.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday 22nd of January, 2019 there was a clash between Youths in Owode Yewa and Customs officers who were carrying out thier duties and resulted into killings while others sustained various degree of injuries.
Responding to the unfortunate incident the Customs boss warned leaders and youths of the community not to prevent Customs officers from performing their duties but urged them to cooperate with them to achieve the Federal Government goal of promoting local production of rice and create employment opportunities for youths.
“The traditional ruller and leaders of Owode should caution their youths. We are doing our legitimate duties.Same incident happened in Ota and the Kabiyesi (Traditional ruller) intervined and doused the tention. Owode leaders should apply caution and they should not take side unless they are in-partner with smugglers) Agbara stated.
According to him, if the Federal Government Agriculture policy works the youths would be gainfully employed and the parents too would benefit because the economy would improved.
Meanwhile, narating how the clash occured, Agbara said based on a tip off Customs officers have been monitoring smugglers carrying bags of rice from Ado Odo to Owode.
He said when his officers stromed the warehouse at Fasinu’s square along Idiroko border, youths armed with dangerous weapons started throwing stones and attacked Customs officers.
“My officers defended themselves they first used teargas bearing in mind the incident of January 6th,2019 in Asero Kampala market, Abeokuta where one of my officer Amisu Sanni was attacked and killed by smuggers. Yes, nobody want anybody to die but they should obey the law and give Customs officers chance to carry out their legitimate duties.” Agbara said.
