By Rabiu MUSA,Abuja
In a swift reaction to a viral video and reports trending on media that a customs officer allegedly killed a passenger for refusing to give bribe.
The Service, National Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah, has debunked the report in a statement issued in Abuja and made available to GLOBAL RAYS Media.
It stated, ” The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) has been drawn to a disturbing video going viral with conflicting narratives. It is painful and totally unnecessary to loose life in anti – smuggling operations. ”
It continued, At Shagamu interchange along Ijebu Ode, attempt to obstruct lawful performance of duty by passengers of a commercial bus, a white Toyota Hiace suspected to be carrying bales of used clothing led to the death of a young man (Godwin) and serious injury of the Customs officer, ASC1 Destiny Onebamho,
He asserted, ” Contrary to some narratives, the young man was not a passenger of the bus but a good citizen who always come to fetch water for customs Patrol men anytime they return to base. ”
Adding, ” Sadly, it should be noted that while attention shifted to the dead and the wounded, the passengers who filmed with inciting commentaries boarded their vehicles and left, leaving the wrong impression that it was one of them that was killed. ”
It stated that, ” Preliminary finding indicate that it was during the skirmishes and struggles with the passengers to disarm the officer that the riffle discharged and hit the friend of the Customs (Godwin) who lost his life. ”
DC Attah affirmed that necessary efforts already taken to keep in touch with the bereaved family ,adding, the wounded officer was now under intensive care at the hospital, while the Patrol team had been recalled to the office for further investigation .
