Photo: Customs officer lynched to death by angry mob in Lagos
after a 35-year-old man, Saturday Joel, was shot by officials of the
Nigerian Customs Service. Eyewitnesses said Joel was hit by a stray
bullet while some customs officers were trying to apprehend a motorist
who was smuggling a red Volkswagen bus from Benin Republic into
Nigeria.
It was learnt that after the shooting, some residents took to the
streets in protest. The residents were said to have alleged that
customs officials had killed at least three motorists this month under
the pretext that they were smugglers.
It was learnt that in the ensuing pandemonium,the customs officials
stationed in the area fled. However, a Superintendent of Customs,
identified as J. I Motojelu, was said to have been driving by at the
time.
PUNCH Metro learnt that in retaliation, the angry mob, led by a
community leader, dragged the officer out of his Toyota Corolla car
marked ABJ 663 DW, and killed him.
It was learnt that the irate mob, also set the deceased officer's
vehicle ablaze and set up bonfires at the centre of the road. The
culprits were said to have used the opportunity to steal some items
that had previously been seized by customs.
A police source said, "Motojelu, who knew nothing about the incident
was beaten to death. The mob opened a customs patrol van stationed
nearby and took a G3 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition kept inside
it. They then set the vehicle ablaze."
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