One killed, 3 hospitalised, as Customs officers chase smugglers

LAGOS—A middle-aged man was allegedly shot dead by operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, who were chasing some smugglers in Alakuko area of Lagos, yesterday. The fate of three other persons, said to have also been hit by stray bullets from the Customs officers, could not be ascertained at press time, as doctors at an undisclosed hospital were reportedly battling to save their lives.

 Vanguard gathered that the operatives, suspected to be from the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, were chasing the smugglers who conveyed bags of rice in their vehicle. In their bid to forcefully bring the vehicle to a halt, they were said to have fired at its tyres. In the process, a stray bullet hit a passer-by identified as Saheed Omotosho, at Omikunle Street, killing him on the spot. Stray bullets, according to eyewitnesses, also hit late Omotosho’s younger brother, who was rushed to hospital. Two other persons were hit by stray bullets at Ajegunle area of Alakuko. Police, Customs clash A police patrol team from Alakuko Division, led by its Divisional Police Officer, rushed to the area when informed of the incident. Attempts by the policemen to apprehend the Customs men reportedly led to another shootout. The Customs men then fled the scene, abandoning the body of the dead man. 

This resulted in a protest, during which youths took to the streets, singing anti-government agency’s songs. They lit a bonfire which caused traffic gridlock on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. An eyewitness, John Ogbu told Vanguard: “A stray bullet hit Saheed in the head. He died on the spot. But his brother did not die. He was rushed to hospital unconscious. So were two other persons. “Saheed’s body was lying on the ground until policemen from Alakuko came to remove it. 

The unfortunate aspect of it is that his widow is pregnant. “Everyone took to their heels until the shooting stopped. Nobody could identity any of the Customs men because their vehicle’s number plates were covered.” Police speak Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Mr. Tunji Disu, who led teams of policemen to the scene, reportedly arrested the situation. But the Lagos State Police Command PRO, Dolapo Badmus, when contacted, said: “We got a report at 7a.m., today (yesterday) that some Customs officials were on the trail of a vehicle. In the process, they went berserk and started shooting. “One passer-by was shot dead around Ajegunle area in Alakuko.” In his reaction, the Public Relations Officer of FOU, Jerry Atte, said nobody was killed.

(Vanguard)