Five feared killed in Customs, smugglers’ clash

• Police confirm death of two

There are fears that stray bullets from the Nigerian Customs killed no fewer than five persons on Sunday at Oke-Odan, bordering Nigeria and Benin Republic, while chasing smugglers.

Though the state Police Command’s Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi confirmed two deaths, an indigene of the town, Kayode Lateef Ajani told journalists yesterday that five people were hit by stray bullets and died on the spot.

Those killed reportedly include one Okodo, Jangola, Baba Samuel and two other persons, whose identity could not be ascertained as at press time.

Adejobi confirmed that “The command was aware of the clash,’ stating ‘it was between some armed smugglers and officials of the Nigerian customs who were on the duty along the Idiroko border axis.”

According to him, “The smugglers attacked the Customs officials and there was exchange of fire between the two groups.”

He added that the police was holding one suspect, whose name he gave as Oke, from Oke-Ona. He said the said suspect was arrested because he was the one who mobilised people to go and confront the custom officials at their duty posts.”

He added: “We see it as a slap on the face of security agencies in the state, because whatever happens to any of them affects all of us in the state, so we are going to do proper investigation.”