Senate to probe alleged extra-judicial killings by Customs

The Senate on Wednesday ordered its Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff to probe the alleged extra-judicial killings by the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS) since the closure of Nigeria’s land borders

The resolution was sequel to a motion titled: “The Need to condemn the incessant excesses and the recent extra-judicial killings of people by men of the Nigerian Customs Service in Idiroko/Ipokia state constituency and sponsored by Senator Tolulope Odebiyi.

The Senate mandated the Francis Alimikhena –led committee to immediately carry out a holistic investigation into the matter.

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According to Odebiyi, since the closure of the country’s land borders, men of the customs had been conducting themselves in a very reckless and unruly manner along the Idiroko axis.

“Precisely, on October 7, while we were on break, men of the customs service were alleged to have shot and killed a student and injured several others.

“The people of Idiroko state constituency are daily being harassed and treated with disdain by men of the Nigerian Customs Service.

“While many of the actions and excesses by the operatives including the recent killings were not only breaches but were done against the state, sadly there are yet to be any report of any of the officers involved or reprimanded,” the senator said.

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