Senate probes Customs over alleged killings at Idiroko/Ipokia
Sanni Onogu, Abuja
The Senate on Wednesday directed its Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs to investigate the extra-judicial killings of some residents of Idiroko/Ipokia in Ogun State allegedly by men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
This resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Tolu Odebiyi (Ogun West) on the floor of the Senate.
Odebiyi who came under a point of order, said that “since the closure of the country’s land border by the Federal Government, men of the Nigeria Customs Service have been conducting themselves in a very unruly manner and in commando-like style around the Idiroko and Ipokia state constituency.”
He noted that on October 7, 2019, at about 2pm some Customs men were alleged to have shot and killed a student of Ojumo Community High School, Ihunbo in Ipokia Local Government Area, while several other students sustained injuries from gunshots.
The lawmaker further lamented that an Honourable member representing the area in the State House of Assembly, Sikirat Ajibola, almost lost her life as she was shot at by men of the Nigeria Customs Service while attempting to pacify aggrieved residents following an incident which claimed the life of a student.
Odeyemi said: “While many of the actions and excesses of the men of Nigeria Customs Service, including the recent killings were not only breaches, they are offences against the state.
“Sadly, there is yet any report of any of the men or officers involved being reprimanded or brought to book.”
– Nation
