Customs Claims of Police Vehicle Used in Smuggling Faulted

Matilda Omonaiye/

Police authorities in Ogun State have faulted claims that the Nigeria Customs impounded a police vehicle smuggling contraband.

Ogun State police spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi explained in a statement that claims made by the Nigeria Customs Service Ogun 1 Area Command on March 22, 2022, while parading some impounded contraband at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, was untrue.

He stated, “During the said press briefing, a vehicle purportedly belonging to Nigeria Police Force, used for smuggling of 27 bags of rice and abandoned by the driver when accosted by Customs officers was paraded by the comptroller.

“The command wouldn’t have joined issues with a sister agency, but to set the record straight, there is need to make the following clarifications.

“To start with, the number plate on the vehicle which is PF 10889 SPY is not a police number plate, as no police vehicle will be numbered in such manner.

“The Nigeria Customs Services which have unfettered access to the top echelon of the Police command would have contacted the command for detailed information about the vehicle before labeling it as a Police vehicle in their press briefing, more so that nobody was arrested with the said vehicle to give credence to their claim.

“The command hereby wishes to inform members of the public that the said vehicle is not a Police vehicle and the number plate on it is fake and the police have nothing to do with it.”