The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has detained four members of the patrol team involved in the killing of a civilian, Godwin Onoja on Sunday.
Recall that videos where officials of the NCS killed a man while allegedly trying to extort N5, 000 bribe from a group of travellers coming from Europe at Shagamu interchange along Lagos-Ibadan expressway, had gone viral on social media.
However, in a statement signed by the NCS Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.) directed thorough investigation on the incidence to ensure justice is served appropriately.
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The statement read; “Following the unfortunate incident of Sunday, February 17, 2019, at the Sagamu interchange involving operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, which led to the death of a fellow citizen, Mr Godwin Onoja, the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to maintain close contact with the bereaved family.
“We are pained by this sad development and share the grief of losing a fellow compatriot in a seemingly avoidable circumstance. We will continue to take every necessary step to cushion the pain associated with losing a dear one.”
The statement further added that the panel could not “immediately conclude” investigations because the officer who killed the civilian is receiving treatment in the hospital.
“In line with this directive, the investigation panel headed by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie, has interrogated and detained four members of the patrol team.
“The panel could not immediately conclude the investigation because the actual officer, ASCI Destiny Onebamho, whose rifle accidentally discharged and killed Onoja, is presently receiving medical attention following the attack on him owing to the unfortunate incident. He will face the panel as soon as he is fit to do so to enable the panel conclude investigation and recommend appropriate actions.”
When shall we stop deceiving ourselves. Accidental discharge of a rifle can only occur with a cocked rifle. Did the officer cock his rifle under which situation, confrontation with armed bandits or what ? What is the acceptable training modalities on cocking of rifles ? I mean, when should such operatives cock their rifles ? In Nigeria the police & a few other operatives cock rifles at the slightest provocation, & at times unprovoked, but as a show of seriousness over whatever course they pursue at that point. I have respect for our nation’s millitary because they won’t cock rifles until their position is seen to be threatened seriously. It’s high time we stop using the language of”accidental discharge” when we commit muder. How many times have Nigerians heard of accidental discharge over a clear case of recklessness with the guns, & when shall we stop hearing it. Government spend so much in training operatives, & such training include the use & handling of guns, so why should we be talking of accidental discharge always as innocent people are killed unnoticed. This case has gone viral & the world is expecting proper investigation & prosecution. NCS should take note.