Outrage as customs official allegedly kills man over N5000 bribe

Ebun Francis|

Nigerians are enraged by the emergence of a Video online where officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reportedly killed an unarmed civilian at Shagamu interchange along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

In the video, which emerged on Sunday passengers of parked commercial vehicles could be seen arguing with customs officials.

As the argument continued, a voice was heard saying, “Shoot him” and a gun went off immediately after.

The sound of the gunshot caused some people at the scene to flee as a young man lay on the ground.

A customs official lifted the hand of the fallen and when the hand fell lifeless to the ground, he tried to flee from the scene in customs official van but was prevented from escaping by the enraged passengers.

The officials were alleged to have stopped the driver over some contraband goods in the bus and demanded N,5000 bribe to let them go.

The victim was said to have refused to comply with the customs officials demand.

The Nigeria Customs service, has, however, reacted to the incident, describing the narratives online as conflicting.

In a statement by Joseph Attah, its spokesman, the service said the deceased was not a passenger of the bus but “a friend” who helped officials to fetch water.

According to Attah, Godwin was mistakenly shot during a brawl between the passengers and an armed customs official.

He added that one of its officials identified as Destiny Onebamho was injured in the process and was receiving treatment at a hospital.

He said the NCS was already investigating the incident and would get to the root of the issue.

“The attention of Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to a disturbing video going viral with conflicting narratives.”

“While it is painful and totally unnecessary to loose life in anti-smuggling operations, today 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 a Customs Officer, ASC1, Destiny Onebamho.

“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 the base.