Scores Feared Dead As Customs Open Fire On Looters Of COVID-19 Palliative In Ilorin

An unconfirmed number of persons are feared dead after officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) opened fire on suspected looters of COVID-19 palliatives at a warehouse belonging to the Customs in Kwara State.

A source in the Kwara State Government House confirmed the incident to THE WHISTLER on Friday.

The suspected hoodlums were said to have invaded the warehouse located at the Kwara Agro Mall along Sango road, Ilorin, after a different set had looted COVID-19 palliatives stored at the Ilorin Airport Cargo on Friday.

The palliatives looted at the Ilorin Airport Cargo were said to have been donated to the state by the private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

The source said the palliatives kept at the Kwara Agro Mall were those procured by the state government and were meant for distribution to residents of the state.

The source further told THE WHISLTER that the state government had distributed the CACOVID palliatives to 15 out 16 Local Government Areas in the state. He said the relief materials looted at the airport were meant for some vulnerable groups and Offa, which was the only LGA left.

The source said contrary to reports that soldiers had opened fire on hoodlums during the invasion of the Ilorin Airport Cargo, it was customs officers that shot at some people who tried to loot the palliatives kept at the Kwara Agro Mall. He said only one person was confirmed dead as of press time

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, did not pick his calls for comment.

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