Four Officers Involved In Killing Of Civilian Detained By Customs

The four members of the patrol team involved in the killing of a man identified as Godwin Onoja have been detained by the Nigeria Customs Service.

A further report into the incident revealed that the investigation couldn’t be concluded because the officer who accidentally shot Onoja, Destiny Onebamho was receiving medical attention following an attack by motorists after the killing.

Recall that Naija News reported that the deceased was shot by a member of the five-man Customs patrol team while trying to allegedly extort ₦5,000 bribe from a group of travellers coming from Europe at the Sagamu end of the Lagos-Ore-Benin Expressway.

The NCS Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, in a statement on Tuesday stated that the officer involved in the killing would be questioned by the panel once he is fit.

According to the statement, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.) has directed a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident with a view to ensuring that justice is served.

“Following the unfortunate incident of Sunday, February 17, 2019, at the Sagamu interchange involving operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, which led to the death of a fellow citizen, Mr Godwin Onoja, the Nigeria Customs Service has continued to maintain close contact with the bereaved family.

“We are pained by this sad development and share the grief of losing a fellow compatriot in a seemingly avoidable circumstance. We will continue to take every necessary step to cushion the pain associated with losing a dear one.

“In line with this directive, the investigation panel headed by the Zonal Coordinator, Zone ‘A’, ACG Kaycee Ekekezie, has interrogated and detained four members of the patrol team.

“The panel could not immediately conclude the investigation because the actual officer, ASCI Destiny Onebamho, whose rifle accidentally discharged and killed Onoja, is presently receiving medical attention following the attack on him owing to the unfortunate incident. He will face the panel as soon as he is fit to do so to enable the panel to conclude the investigation and recommend appropriate actions.”

Attah further stated that the ongoing investigation would be holistic and would involve looking at the weapon handling skills of the operatives and actions that must be taken by the service to prevent future occurrences.