1 soldier, 2 others killed as Customs clash with smugglers in Oyo

Three people including an army lieutenant of Nigerian Army, Josiah Peter, were reportedly killed in a clash between the men of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and some smugglers in Igbo-Ora town, Oyo state on Friday.

Daily Trust gathered that the clash was between Customs personnel from Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, and smugglers in Igbo-Ora, a town in Oyo State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbemiga Fadeyi who confirmed the death of a soldier, silence on other two victims of the clash.

Fadeyi said police has commenced investigations into the clash that occured between customs officers and some suspected smugglers in Igbo-Ora town which led to the death of a lieutenant of Army as a result of gunshots he sustained.

“Information further received revealed that smugglers attacked Federal Operation Unit, FOU Customs at Igboora.

“In a swift response to assist the FOU team, the Border Drill Patrol also came under attack and one Lieutenant of Nigerian Army Josiah Peter was shot and later died.

“Investigation has commenced, please,” he said.

Also confirming the clash, Public Relations Officer of NCS in Oyo/Osun command, Kayode Wey who said that he was aware of the incident however did not give details of the incident.

Wey when asked to State the position of Customs service, said the he cannot confirm if anyone died during the clash.

“Yes sir, I am aware. I have heard about the story from somebody as well. I also heard from somebody. So, I can’t give confirmation about anything.

“You heard it the way I heard it. Even, a journalist has called me about this incident. And they said the same thing.

“I also don’t know, I dont have any information. I cannot say anything concerning that matter, because, I don’t have any official statement on that.”

A resident of Igboora had earlier narrated that shooting rent the air and in the process, gunshots hit the three persons among whom are his neighbour, a customs officer and a soldier.

He said the three people were hit by the gunshots, and died as a result of the gunshots they sustained while several other people also sustained injuries during the clash.