Abiodun condemns customs’ killing of three students

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday said that his administration would investigate the death of three students allegedly killed by the vehicle of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Monday along the Idiroko border area of the state.

Three secondary school students were reportedly knocked down by a confiscated vehicle driven by officers of the NCS.

The officer, who was driving one of the confiscated vehicles, was said to have lost control of the wheels and crashed into students of Ojumo Community High School, Ihunbo, who were standing by the road side during close of the school hours.

Abiodun, while condemning the incident, said: “We respect the sanctity of human lives in Ogun State and government exists to provide security and welfare for the people.

“No matter the circumstances, we found this condemnable. We would not fold our arms and watch our future leaders killed in that manner.”

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, added that while the governor was shocked at the sad news of the death of the three students of Ojumo Community High School, Ihunbo, in Ipokia Local Council of the state, he warned security men chasing suspected smugglers or hoodlums to be wary of the rights of citizens in all circumstances.

The governor said it was reprehensible that young students with promising future could be lost to such a manner.

The state government, the statement added, would not just investigate the circumstances of the gory killing of these potential leaders of tomorrow, but would do everything possible to prevent a recurrence and would ensure that indicted persons are brought to justice.

The governor prayed that the Almighty God should “grant the families of these innocent children the fortitude to bear the loss” and pleaded with the people not to take laws into their hands in dealing with the unfortunate situation.

He, however, advised security personnel, especially NCS officials, to apply moderate engagement with suspected smugglers or hoodlums along the border towns to avoid such loss of lives and property in future.

But reacting to the incident yesterday, the Command’s Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the driver of the vehicle had swerved to avoid hitting a motorcyclist on the road when he rammed into the students.