Chaos in Iseyin as NCS operatives reportedly shoot four during Eid celebrations

 

At least four people have died and another has been badly injured in Iseyin, Oyo state after officers of the Nigerian Customs Services opened fire indiscriminately while pursuing suspected smugglers.

From all indications, Nigerian Customs Service operatives started shooting after intercepting smuggled goods coming through the borders. Several eyewitness accounts have since shared that some of the victims were out to enjoy the Eid celebration when the NCS officers opened fire.

The situation has now caused tension in the community as families and friends of the victims have already begun protesting. Efforts have already started to identify the late victims but the identity and names of those affected could not be established as at the time of filing this report.

Indiscriminate shooting by Customs operatives has been a bone of contention in Iseyin lately and not too long ago, there was a face-off with members of the proscribed Nigerian Union of Transport Workers (NURTW) when the Chairman of their Iseyin union was hit by a bullet in another reckless incident instigated by the NCS.

The Public Relation Officer of the NCS Oyo/Osun Area Command, Kayode Wey has since reacted to questions by journalists saying he has not yet been briefed and is not aware of which command the Customs operatives in question are attached to. He promised to get back to them with more information as soon as he had all the facts, however.

Following the shooting however, the Aseyin of Iseyin land, Oba Abdulganiyu Adekunle Salau Oloogunebi – Ajinese I has warned the NCS to ensure that their officers are at least 40km away from the Ayegun border from now on.

The Iseyin Monarch released a press statement yesterday and described the killing of the youths, especially on a festive day meant to bring joy as a terrible occurrence that must be learnt from to prevent a reoccurrence in the future. He also called for his people, especially Rice dealers in the region to remain calm and assured them that he would do everything within his power to ensure that justice is served

In his words: “we will no longer allow custom officers to continue wasting the lives of our promising younger ones, our future and hope and so, drastic steps shall be taken to look into both the remote and the immediate causes of the killings.”

“Aseyin-in-Council is going to wade into this matter and we shall get to the root of it. I enjoin members of the families affected by the casualties to repose confidence on the traditional institution because prompt actions are being taken to allow peace to reign permanently in the town.