The lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Shina Peller, has a motion for the investigation of officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the House of Representatives.
OYOINSIGHT recalls that on Thursday, five residents of the town were shot dead by customs officers in Iseyin area of Oyo State.
A statement released by the lawmaker after moving the motion on the floor of the House read:
.
My decision to move the motion was prompted by the unfortunate killing of five of my constituents on Thursday 13th May by Customs officers who were in pursuit of a vehicle conveying smuggled bags of rice. The officer were shooting sporadically and in the process, 5 people who were celebrating Eid-el-fitri at Oja Oba area of Iseyin town, were killed.
In the motion, I described the action of the Customs officers as total negligence, abuse of authority, gross misconduct and disregard for human lives.
There is no way any reasonable person or organization will justify the action of the Customs. Customs officers are supposed to protect our boarders and not more than 40kms to the border. If the officers had been properly trained and were efficient enough to carry out their duty at the boarders, there would be no need chasing people around town. There would not have been any need for them to start shooting sporadically in the town which sadly led to the death of innocent indigenes. Bags of rice, which they were chasing, can never equal human lives that have been lost.
This was what prompted my motion with the three prayers below:
That the House:
(i) Mandates the committee on Customs to investigate the incident and report back to the House within two weeks for further legislative action.
(ii) Urges the Federal Government to review the rules of engagement of the Nigerian Customs Service as it relates to arms usage.
(iii) Invites the Comptroller- General of Customs to liaise with the committee on Customs and Excise so as to ensure compensation for the affected families, prosecute the erring officers and make sure of adherence to the rule of customs officers not exceeding 40km from the borders.
