The Nigerian Customs Service and vehicle dealers appeared to have drawn a battle line in Kaduna, as the duo clashed yesterday over vehicle import duty. A Customs’ Hilux patrol vehicle was set ablaze in the process.
It, however, took a timely intervention of the Kaduna State security outfit (Operation Yaki) to prevent the clash from leading to a major crisis within the Kaduna city.
The incident, which took place on Rabah Road, in Kaduna North Local Government, occurred at about 3.00pm when Customs officials had gone on patrol to impound vehicles without import duties from car dealers in the city.
Meanwhile, when our correspondent arrived at the scene at about 4.00pm, men of the Kaduna State Fire Service were still battling to put off the fire on the patrol vehicle.
Motorists and other road users as well as passersby scamper for safety while security operatives from the ‘Operation Yaki’ outfit cordoned off the area.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the Customs officials had gone to an unamed car dealers’ showroom around the Isa Kaita road area, also in the metropolis, to impound about six luxury vehicles which they claimed had no import duties.
However, according to the eyewitness, on getting to the showroom, the Customs officials who were few in numbers, sensed there could be danger and decided to go back for reenforcement.
At this juncture, it was gathered that the dealers decided “to go and hide some of the vehicles. But the Customs officials were able to tow away four of the luxury vehicles,” he narrated. .
NE gathered that it was when Customs officials came back to impound more vehicles, that the car dealers mobilised chased the officials.
They (car dealers) caught up with the patrol vehicle and set it ablaze. Onlookers cheered the dealers.
Another eyewitness said: “The Customs officials had gone to Issa Kaita Road to impound vehicles without import duties from an unknown car showroom. They succeeded in impounding four of the vehicles but came back to tow the remaining two.
“As they took the remaining two, the car dealers mobilised and ran after the Customs officials, they caught up with them and dragged down the driver and set the patrol vehicle on fire,” he said
Meanwhile, Customs spokesman could not be reached at press time, but a source close to the service said they would brief the press later. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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