N.E findings revealed that the mob was rioting because a suspected smuggler was shot by a Customs officer when he tried to escape being arrested for taking a bag of rice across Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic.
The suspected smuggler identified as Saturday, was said to have been shot during an argument between him and the Customs officer.
Saturday is said to come from one of the neighbouring communities in the Seme border area and he is presently recovering at an undisclosed hospital in the area, according to police sources.
An eyewitness who spoke with our reporter under anonymity, said some people from the victim’s community stormed the border area this morning and attacked the Customs office in the area and in the process burnt a pick up van belonging to the Customs.
He also said a Superintendent that was said to be coming to work was attacked by the mob and he was lynched instantly.
His car was also said to be burnt before soldiers and policemen from Border Patrol Unit and the Seme Police Command came to restore order to the area.
It was learnt that in the ensuing pandemonium, the customs officials stationed in the area fled. However, a Superintendent of Customs, identified as J. I Motojelu, was said to have been driving by at the time.
NE learnt that in retaliation, the angry mob, led by a community leader, dragged the officer out of his Toyota Corolla car marked ABJ 663 DW, and killed him.
It was learnt that the irate mob, also set the deceased officer’s vehicle ablaze and set up bonfires at the centre of the road.
The culprits were said to have used the opportunity to steal some items that had previously been seized by customs.
No comments:
Post a Comment