Oyo: 5 killed as customs, smugglers engage in gun duel

No fewer than five residents of Iseyin, the gateway town to Oke-Ogun area of Iseyin Local Government, Oyo State, were shot dead by men of Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday while engaging smugglers in the area.

The Aseyin of Iseyin land, Dr Abdulganiyy Adekunle Salau, who confirmed the figure, warned officers of Nigeria Customs Services to keep 40kilometers away from the border of the town.

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Aseyin who spoke through his media aide, Semiu Azzez, described the killings of the youths on the festive day as a bad occurrence that must be critically analysed to prevent future reoccurrence.

Eyewitness told Daily Trust in Ibadan on Thursday that the vehicle loaded with rice had already escaped to the main town of Iseyin when the incident happened.

The incident which happened around 4 pm on Thursday at Oja-Oba heart of the ancient town saw four people including old man dead.

Daily Trust gathered that when the smugglers arrived Oja-Oba, the customs started shooting and killed four people who were celebrating Eid-el-Fitri.

A resident of Iseyin, Kehinde Adekunle, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent said: “It is true. The personnel started shooting after intercepted smuggled goods coming through the borders.

“I was around that place when the incident happened. Two old men who were celebrating Eid-el-Fitri and two other minors were affected.

“Though they were hit by stray bullets, the argument was they couldn’t have opened fire in that place full of residents. Again, there is a festival today. Those people were out to enjoy Sallah celebration and this has caused tension in the community as family and friends of those affected have started protesting.”

Also confirming the incident, another resident, Alhazan Kamorudeen who said he was on his way to Iseyin from Ibadan, the state capital, said: “It is true. I have called my people and they said there is tension in the town now.”

The Customs Public Relations Officer in Oyo Command, Kayode Way didn’t pick his call to confirm the development and text message sent to him was not replied.

Also the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State command of the Nigeria Police Force, Adewale Osifeso, didn’t pick his calls to confirm the incident.