The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have launched a harmonised investigation into the alleged killing of a yet-to-be-identified driver by Customs operatives along the  Osogbo–Iwo Road in Osun State.

The incident reportedly occurred around 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Onibueja area in Ido-Osun, near a Police roadblock.

The perpetrators were said to be security operatives in mufti, who were reportedly pursuing the now-deceased driver from the Iwo end of the road before opening fire on his vehicle.

According to a video circulating online, the victim’s vehicle was seen riddled with bullet holes, while angry residents gathered at the scene, demanding a thorough investigation into the incident.

In a Monday statement signed by DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the Force Public Relations Officer, the Force launched the harmonised investigation to ensure transparency, citing ongoing public interest and a recent statement by the NCS regarding the unfortunate shooting.

The statement reads, “​The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the ongoing public interest and the recent statement by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) regarding the unfortunate shooting incident in the Dada Estate area of Osogbo, Osun State, which resulted in the loss of a citizen’s life.
​
“While the NPF recognises the statutory duties of the NCS in anti-smuggling operations, the sanctity of human life remains the highest priority of the state.”

Read Also

The Force pledges that investigation into the alleged shooting will be conducted with highest level of forensic diligence.

The statement added, “The Inspector General of Police has noted the NCS’s call for a harmonised investigation. To this end, the NPF assures our sister agency and the public that the investigation, currently led by the Osun State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), will be conducted with the highest level of forensic diligence.”
​
The statement further disclosed that the suspects, Kolawole Suuti and Danjuma Samuel, are currently in police custody to facilitate a transparent inquiry.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects includes a Beretta pistol (Breech No. 125024) and 9mm ballistic evidence, which have been subjected to specialised analysis to synchronize the facts with the operational Rules of Engagement (ROE).
​
The statement added that the NPF and NCS maintain a robust, professional relationship, noting that incident is being treated as a matter of individual professional accountability.

The Force urge members of the public to refrain from sensationalising the event as a conflict between agencies, stressing that Both the NPF and NCS are united in the pursuit of justice for the deceased.

​”The Force extends its deepest condolences to the family of the victim and remains committed to a conclusion that upholds the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement concluded.