Sources have revealed that, at least, three people have died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained during a clash between some suspected smugglers and members of the Customs in Igbo-Ora town, in Oyo State.
Oyo Affairs gathered that the clash started after the Customs officers, who were from the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, seized a bus suspected to be illegally transporting some bags of foreign rice from the smugglers.
Those that died included a soldier, a Customs officer and a resident of the town.
A native of the town who spoke with newsmen on Saturday also confirmed the incident.
He said, “Yes, there was a clash between some Customs officers and some smugglers on Thursday.”
When contacted, the Spokesman of Nigeria Customs Service in Oyo/Osun command, Mr. Kayode Wey confirmed the clash but said that he has not been informed about the details of the incident.
He said, “I don’t have an official report. It is when I have that we can give you the details.”
But, Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, when contacted, said that investigations have started in order to unravel what transpired during the clash.
Fadeyi said, “There was no initial official report to the Police on the incident.
“But, investigations have commenced into the clash and further development will unfold soonest.”