At least five persons were feared dead yesterday when men of the Ogun State Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) engaged in a shoot out with smugglers around Oju-Ore area of Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State.

It was gathered that the Customs officers have been on the trail of the smugglers from Owode area in Yewa South local government before cornering them at Oju-Ore.

An eye witness told our correspondent that the smugglers had successfully smuggled in three expensive cars including a 2014 model Range Rover before the Shootout at Ota.

The gun duel which reportedly lasted for about 45 minutes left the five people injured. They were rushed to the General hospital in Ota.

A local government worker who spoke with our correspondent revealed that the smugglers are popular in the area and worked under a leader known as Agarawu.

He also alleged that Agarawu has always been negotiating with the officers to carry out his illicit trade adding that the negotiation must have gone bad hence the shooting incident.

The Source explained that it took the intervention of the State special combined security outfit called ‘OP Mesa’ and men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad to douse the tension in the area.

As at the time of filling in this report, the source explained that men of the Customs and the smugglers were sighted at the hospital where the injured were being attended to.

While contacted, the Customs Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdullahi said he was not aware of the development but would get back after investigation.

“I am not aware of that to my knowledge, but I will do my investigation and findings and whatever it is, I will get you posted,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi did not respond to calls put across to his mobile number, neither did he respond to the text message sent to him.