Customs Officers, Soldiers ‘Kill Passerby’ While Chasing Rice Smugglers In Lagos

A resident was killed while two others sustained gunshot injuries after operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), accompanied by soldiers, allegedly opened fire while pursuing suspected rice smugglers in the Oko-Afo area of Badagry, Lagos State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. near Oko-Afo Bus Stop beside Oyobo Filling Station, throwing the community into panic as residents, traders and motorists fled the area.

According to eyewitnesses, the Customs operatives were chasing a commercial bus allegedly transporting three bags of smuggled rice when the operation turned tragic.

Residents alleged that the officers abandoned officially approved checkpoints and pursued the commercial bus into a nearby street after its occupants reportedly attempted to evade arrest.

The officers were said to have stopped their patrol vehicle before allegedly opening fire indiscriminately in an attempt to apprehend the suspected smugglers.

During the shooting, a resident who was reportedly walking out of the street was allegedly struck in the chest by a bullet. He was said to have collapsed immediately and died shortly afterwards.

An eyewitness who claimed to have assisted in taking the victim to a nearby hospital alleged that medical personnel declined to treat him before he eventually died from the gunshot wound.

“We rushed him to a nearby hospital immediately after he was shot, but they allegedly refused to treat him. Before anything could be done, he died from the gunshot injury,” the eyewitness said.

Eyewitnesses further disclosed that a trader operating a kiosk beside Oyobo Filling Station was hit by a stray bullet during the incident.

The trader reportedly sustained a severe injury to his arm, which witnesses said was fractured by the impact of the bullet, and is currently receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Badagry.

Another resident was also said to have sustained injuries, bringing the total number of casualties to three, comprising one dead and two injured.

A family source of the deceased confirmed that the incident had been reported at the Morogbo Police Station.

According to the source, police officers advised the family to deposit the deceased's body at a morgue to facilitate investigation into the killing.

However, the family reportedly rejected the advice, insisting that the deceased should be buried immediately in accordance with Islamic rites.

“The police told us to take the body to the morgue for investigation, but we insisted that he must be buried according to Islamic rites,” the family source said.

The source added that, as of the time of filing this report, the deceased's body was still lying inside the commercial bus that had been pursued by the Customs officers, while discussions continued between the family and the authorities over the next course of action.

Responding to enquiries, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Deputy Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, said the Service was deeply saddened by reports of the incident.

He said, “If confirmed, the loss of any human life is a profound tragedy, and we share in the grief of the affected family during this immensely difficult time.

“While we are currently compiling a full operational report to establish the exact sequence of events, the Service wishes to state the immediate measures being taken.”

Maiwada disclosed that an investigation had commenced to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting and determine whether officers complied with the Service's operational rules of engagement.

“The Nigeria Customs Service maintains a zero-tolerance policy for the unprofessional or reckless use of firearms. If any officer is found to have acted outside the law or established operational procedures, appropriate disciplinary and legal actions will be enforced without hesitation,” he said.

“The Nigeria Customs Service remains committed to preserving human life and serving the public with integrity. We assure that this matter will be handled with absolute transparency, fairness, and urgency.

“We appeal to the residents of Oko-Afo, Badagry, and the general public to remain calm while we unravel and take decisive action to prevent any of such incidents from reoccurring.

“Further updates will be made available to the public as soon as full findings are established,” he added.