By Tope Musowo
Lagos
Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has called for thorough investigation and subsequent prosecution of Custom officer who allegedly shot an automobile rewire mechanic, Saheed Omotosho while on the trail of rice smugglers at Alagbado area of Lagos state.
Customs officers were reported to have pursued rice smugglers from Idi-Iroko area of Ogun state to Agbado, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos state, yesterday, October 13, and had to shoot in a bid to make forceful arrest of the smugglers.
In its resolve to defend the rights of the deceased, members of the CDHR went on a protest march to Custom office, Ikeja and to the House of Assembly, Alausa.
In a petition which was under signed by the chairman, Comrade Alex Omotehinse and secretary, Comrade Kushimo Olumuyiwa of Lagos chapter, CDHR said “only a beast and vampire would display such behaviour/act as done by these men of Nigeria Customs Service.”
“Also in a bid to cover up their shame and lack of competence, they abducted a relation of the late Saheed Rasheed Oyedeji who was shocked and attempted to raise alarm over the killing of his brother.”
Reacting, the Comptroller NCS, Lagos Operation, Adamu Turaki, commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and promised to forward the group’s petition to the Comptroller General of the NCS.
He said the petition would be looked into and justice would be done after investigation.
The protesters, who later proceeded to the state Assembly, also presented a petition to the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, calling for laws to restrict operations of customs officers to the border areas.
