3 law makers murdered by Custom officers

The extra judicial killing allegedly carried out by some personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been condemned by the House of Assembly in Ogun State on Tuesday

The members of the House, who spoke under matters of public national interest, submitted that it was necessary to summon the state Comptroller of Customs over the activities of NCS officials in the state.

Mr Adeyinka Mafe (APC – Sagamu 1), said that the House condemned in totality the killing of innocent people by NCS officials.

He  said,NCS officials were supposed to be at the borders, adding that it was wrong for them to move more than 100 kilometres inland.

“Where the last incident happened was a road from Abeokuta to Sagamu where three lives were lost due to the activities of the NCS officials, claiming that they were pursuing smugglers.

“Two weeks ago, the same thing happened around Sango Ota in Ado-Odo Local Government Area, even though no life was lost,’’ he said.

Mafe, who is also the Majority Leader, suggested that the House should pass a strong resolution concerning the matter and summon the state comptroller.

Mr Idowu Olowofuja (APC – Abeokuta South 11) said that the victim that was killed on the Abeokuta-Sagamu road was not a smuggler but a taxi driver and a member of NURTW.

Olowofuja said that the NCS should be called to order, adding that it was important for the organisation to be professional in discharging its duties.

Mr Biyi Adeleye (APC – Remo) also condemned the activities of the NCS, saying that there should be a law that would strictly restrict its personnel to the borders.

The Speaker, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, condoled with the families of the deceased, noting that no amount of sanctions would bring back the dead.

Adekunbi (APC – Yewa North 1), however, said that the NCS should be more proactive at the borders.

“We will continue to engage them; even at the national level, they are having issues. We are not saying you should not carry out your responsibilities but you should be professional about it,’’ he said.

Some operatives of the NCS on Wednesday allegedly shot dead a commercial driver suspected to be a smuggler on the Abeokuta-Sagamu road.

( PM News)