Ogun Assembly condemns trigger-happy Customs

The Ogun House of Assembly on Tuesday  condemned reports of   extra judicial killing  allegedly carried out  by some men of the  Nigeria  Customs Service (NCS).
The members of the House, who   spoke under matters of public national interest,  submitted that it was necessary to summon the state Comptroller of  Customs over the  activities of  NCS   officials in the state.
Mr Adeyinka Mafe (APC – Sagamu 1), said that the House condemned in totality the killing of innocent people by  NCS officials.
Mafe said NCS officials  were supposed to be at the borders, adding that it was wrong for them to move more than 100 kilometres inland.
“Where the last incident happened was a road from Abeokuta to Sagamu where three lives were lost due to the activities of the NCS officials, claiming that they were pursuing smugglers.
“Two weeks ago, the  same thing happened around Sango Ota in Ado-Odo Local Government Area, even though no life was lost,’’ he said.
Mafe, who is also the Majority Leader, suggested that the House should pass a strong resolution concerning the  matter and summon the state comptroller.
Mr Idowu Olowofuja (APC – Abeokuta South 11)  said that the  victim  that was  killed on the  Abeokuta-Sagamu road was not a smuggler but a taxi driver and a member of NURTW.
Olowofuja said that the NCS  should be called  to order, adding that it was important for the organisation  to be professional in discharging its  duties.
Mr Biyi Adeleye (APC – Remo)  also condemned the activities of the  NCS, saying that there should be a law that would strictly restrict   its personnel  to the borders.
The Speaker, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, condoled with the families of the deceased, noting  that no amount of sanctions would bring back the dead.
Adekunbi  (APC – Yewa North 1), however, said that the NCS  should be more proactive at the borders.
“We will continue to engage them;  even at the national level, they are having issues. We are not saying you should not carry out your responsibilities but you should be professional about it,’’ he said.
Some operatives of the NCS  on Wednesday  reportedly killed  a taxi driver suspected to be a smuggler  on the  Abeokuta-Sagamu road.