No fewer than four victims have been killed and one other seriously injured during a gun battle between men of Nigeria Customs Service and smugglers in Iseyin, the gateway town to Oke-Ogun area of Iseyin Local Government, Oyo State.
The incident was confirmed in a Daily Trust report which revealed that the incident happened around 4pm on Thursday, May 13, at Oja-Oba heart of the ancient town when some residents were celebrating the Eid-Fitri festival.
Reports say four residents got hit by stray bullets when customs officers allegedly exchanged gunfire with suspected smugglers. A fifth person was injured during the shooting.
A resident of Iseyin, Kehinde Adekunle, who confirmed the incident told Daily Trust that the customs officers allegedly started shooting indiscriminately after intercepting the smugglers.
He said; “It is true. The personnel started shooting after intercepting smuggled goods coming through the borders. I was around that place when the incident happened. Two old men who were celebrating Eid-el-Fitri and two other minors were affected.
“Though they were hit by stray bullets, the argument was they couldn’t have opened fire in that place full of residents. Again, there is a festival today. Those people were out to enjoy Sallah celebration and this has caused tension in the community as family and friends of those affected have started protesting.”
