Statement by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the alleged killing of an unnamed man by a custom officer.
“Information just reaching the Nigerian Bar Association indicates that today, the 17th day of February 2019, an armed custom man shot and killed a passenger in a commercial transport vehicle coming from Lagos but bound for Benin city. The passengers in the vehicle were reportedly heard speaking Benin language.
The protection of lives and properties of Nigerians is the responsibility of government. The lives of Nigerians should not be cut short by trigger-happy armed Security personnel who have no business being on the road. The reported killing is unjustified and most reckless.
Further information from concerned Nigerians indicate that customs men on the Lagos-Benin expressway are said to be always in the business of extorting monies from motorists and passengers on the road. This shameful act paints the country in a very bad light, and it must stop.
Therefore, the Nigerian Bar Association calls upon the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser and the leadership of the Nigerian Customs service to quickly intervene in this matter by setting up an investigation panel that will unravel the circumstances that led to the killing of the Nigerian. We also demand that all persons involved in this dastardly act must be made to face the wrath of the law. This killing must not be swept under the carpet like others.”
Kunle Edun
National Publicity Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association