Graphic details of how the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) post at the small town of Ovbiogie, Ovia North East local government on the Benin-Lagos road was sacked by the angry villagers after a commercial bus driver was shot dead emerged in the Edo state capital of Benin.

Going by a witness who ran unto the nayhrm on his way to Benin from Lagos, a custom operational vehicle was set on fire just as the panicky officers fled as the protesters overpowered them despite heavy shootings.

Going by the eyewitness who simply gave his name as Agbonlahor, the victim was shot dead by the customs officers for carrying two imported bags of rice which he was conveying in the bus to Benin.

He said that a heated argument had ensued when the driver was asked to drop the bags of rice because they were suspected to be contraband.

He added that the driver had vehemently resisted the demand by the officials and was shot dead by one of the incensed custom officers who frowned at his insubordination.

He said: “The customs men stopped the man for carrying two bags of foreign rice. They said the man should drop the rice.

“After that, there was an argument and the man was shot dead. All we want is justice.”

Incensed by the killing, the protesters who had gathered around the scene to witness the drama, stormed the post, vandalised the NCS post at Ovbiogie and carted away some goods already seized.

It was a reinforcement of soldiers that stopped the protesters from causing further damage.

A top official of NCS who pleaded anonymity said the men involved were from the NCS Federal Operating Unit in Owerri, Imo State.

•Sourced from a Tribune report

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