Customs detains four operatives over Shagamu killings

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said it had detained four of its officers over Sunday’s killing of Godwin Agada at the Shagamu interchange in Ogun State.

National Public Relations Officer of the Service, Deputy Controller Joseph Attah, made this known in a press statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, he maintained that the Service would ensure that it unravels the cause of the unfortunate incident even as it sympathised with the family of the victim.

The release stated: “Following the unfortunate incident on Sunday 17th February 2019 at Shagamu Interchange involving Operatives of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, which led to the death of a fellow citizen, Mr. Godwin Agada Onoja, the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to maintain close contact with the bereaved family.

“We are pained by this sad development and share the grief of losing a fellow compatriot in a seemingly avoidable circumstance. We are and will continue to take every necessary step that will cushion the pain associated with losing a dear one.”

According to Attah, the Zonal Coordinator Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Kaycee Ekekezie has been detailed by the CG to carry out the investigation into the matter and has ordered the detention of four of the officers.

He added that the officer whose rifle accidentally discharged was receiving treatment in the hospital but will be made available for interrogation as soon as he gets well.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) has directed a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with the view to ensuring that justice is served.

“In line with this directive, the investigation panel headed by the Zonal Coordinator Zone A, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie has interrogated and detained four members of the patrol team.

“The panel could not immediately conclude the investigation because the actual officer (ASCI Destiny Onebamho) whose riffle discharged is presently receiving medical attention as a result of mob attack following the unfortunate incident. He will face the panel as soon as he is fit to do so, to enable the panel conclude investigation and recommend appropriate action(s).

“Nigerians will recall that in 2017, the Service made public its investigation and dismissal of five (5) officers implicated in the illegal release of the 661-pump action riffles from Apapa Port.

“The dismissed officers were immediately handed over for prosecution along side the importer and agent. A prosecution that is ongoing at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos.

“In the same vein, the ongoing investigation will be holistic including looking at the weapon handling skills and actions that must be taken by the Service to possibly prevent future occurrence.

“We will continue to update the public details of every action taken in the handling of this unfortunate incident.”