Photo: Customs officer lynched to death by angry mob in Lagos

There was mayhem at the Seme border area of Lagos State on Thursday

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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