Nigerians React To Statement Released By NCS Over Alleged Killing Of Man By Officer
Following the alleged killing of a man by an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service and the subsequent release of a statement by the NCS, debunking the news, Nigerians have expressed their views via micro blogging site, Twitter.
TheLagostimes had earlier reported that a Customs officer along Benin-Asaba road on Sunday allegedly killed a young man in a passenger bus.
According to TheNationonline, the deceased was said to be coming from Lagos with other passengers when the officers stopped the vehicle and demanded a N5,000 bribe.
In the ensuing altercation, one of the officers shot the passenger, a development that infuriated other passengers.
The passengers reportedly mobilised and prevented the officers from leaving the scene.
However, that same night, the NCS released a press statement through its Public Relations Officer, Mr Joseph Attah, denying the conflicting video and reports.
”The attention of (NSC) has been drawn to a disturbing video going viral with conflicting narratives.
”It is painful and totally unnecessary to loose life in anti-smuggling operations.
“Today at Shagamu interchange along Ijebu Ode, attempt to obstruct lawful performance of duty by passengers of a commercial bus, a white Toyota Hiace suspected to be carrying bales of used clothing led to the death of a young man (Godwin) and serious injury of a Customs Officer, ASC1, Destiny Onebamho.
”Contrary to some narratives, the young man was not a passenger of the bus but a good citizen who always come to fetch water for Customs Patrol men anytime they return to the base.
”Preliminary finding indicate that it was during the skirmishes and struggle with the passengers to disarm the officer that the riffle discharged and hit the friend of the Customs (Godwin) who lost his life,” he had explained.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have taken to twitter to express their grievances about the incident, most of them claiming that the Customs’ version of the story was untrue.
See some twitter reactions below:
The Nigerian Customs really trying to undermine our basic intelligence with that disrespectful press release. My God! WHEN WILL BASTARDS START FACING PUNISHMENTS FOR ACTIONS LIKE THESE? WE SAW THE VIDEO!!!
— AG BABY (@adekunleGOLD) February 18, 2019
No matter how many times someone sends me that customs video i’ll never watch it. I won’t normalize watching viral videos of people losing their lives with such indignity. I am not sure why a customs officer needs to be armed in the first place.
— Ozzy Etomi (@ozzyetomi) February 18, 2019
Nigerian Customs officer on duty
Is this wan custom or isakaba pic.twitter.com/SsPnJyF93W
— John Ohio🗽 (@jon__ohio) February 18, 2019
According to the punch… They were tryna extort them 5k and he refused
Two big offences – Bribe and Murder and the PRO is speaking grammar? a man is dead@tvcconnect #Yourviewtvc— Ehndee (@Ehndee2) February 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/Naijadailyfeed/status/1097432647759028224?s=19
https://twitter.com/iSlimfit/status/1097253692242300929?s=19
There's a video!!! There's a frigging video!!! There was no struggle for the customs officer's fire arm. He stepped away, cocked his gun & shot!!!
Nigerian authorities need to stop lying!!!
He's a good citizen who always comes to fetch water & you lie about his death?
Tueh!!! pic.twitter.com/cpQGns85VI
— Igala Alan Shore (@I_Am_Ilemona) February 17, 2019
If Customs is lying like this about something we all saw on video, makes you wonder about all those people who have died in a "shootout with smugglers".
— Amara Nwankpa (@Nwankpa_A) February 18, 2019
