Customs Detain Four Officers Over Ogun Shooting

Customs Detain Four Officers Over Ogun Shooting

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) says it has detained four of its
officers who engaged passengers of a Hiace bus in a scuffle at Sagamu
interchange area last Sunday, which led to an accidental discharge of
gunfire that claimed the life of one Godwin Agada Onoja.

A statement released by the Customs National Spokesman, Joseph Attah
today, says the four officers have been detained pending the outcome of
investigations into the matter by the investigation panel headed by the
Zonal Coordinator Zone A, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie. Read the statement below

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.

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 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).

NCS is a reputable organization known for integrity and
responsibility. In line with our corporate values, we will not shield
any operative found wanting in this ongoing investigation. The Service
appreciates the public concern and strong emotions drawn from the viral
video with narratives that created various opinions.

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.