1st May, 2016
Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta
Six persons were killed this evening at Oke Odan township in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State during a face-off between smugglers and officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The incident occurred around 6:30pm at Alakara Bus-Stop, Oke Odan.
PM NEWS gathered that the customs officials were pursuing some suspected rice smugglers in a long convoy coming from Igolo, a border town between Nigeria and Benin Republic, and heading towards Sango in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Investigations also revealed that all those killed were not smugglers, but innocent people, carrying out their legitimate duties in their shops and kiosks.
Witnesses identified those killed as three children, a motor mechanic, panel-beater and a secondary school leaver, simply identified as Ade.
Reacting to the killing of innocent residents, the legislator representing Yewa South/Ipokia in the House of Representatives, AbdulKabir Adekunle Akinlade, described it as unfortunate and unacceptable.
He disclosed that he was already discussing with the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service in the area over the matter.
Akinlade commiserated with the families of the deceased over the sudden death of their loved ones. “The shooting of innocent bystanders is unfortunate and unacceptable. In the light of this development I have opened talks with the leadership of the security agency involved in this incident. I wish to plead with our people to remain calm and go about their legitimate businesses. I will work with the Ogun State Government to find a lasting solution to this recurring confrontations.
“My condolences to the families of the dead,” the lawmaker said.
PM NEWS gathered further that calm has returned to the area as the road where the shooting took place has been reopened.