The Osun State Police Command said it has identified the driver allegedly shot dead along the Iwo–Osogbo Road on Sunday during a pursuit by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The command also disclosed that police personnel who were present at the scene are also being investigated.
The command said some police operatives stationed at the nearby roadblock were being probed alongside two operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service currently in detention over the incident.
It would be recalled that the alleged killing of a driver by suspected customs operatives around the Onibueja area of Ido-Osun, Osun State, sparked outrage on Sunday.
According to a video of the scene obtained by our correspondent, the shooting occurred close to a police roadblock at about 10 a.m.
Sources said the perpetrators, who were dressed in mufti, were security operatives pursuing a driver from the Iwo end of the road.
The alleged shooters were later identified as operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
In the video, the vehicle conveying the deceased was seen riddled with bullets, while a crowd of angry residents gathered at the scene, demanding a thorough investigation to identify and punish those responsible.
Confirming the incident in a statement sent to our correspondent, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, identified the suspected shooters as Kolawole Suuti and Danjuma Samuel, both operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
However, the police initially did not disclose the identity of the deceased.
Providing an update on Monday, Ojelabi identified the deceased as 41-year-old Anayo Azikwe Michael from Delta State.
“The deceased was from Delta State. His name is Anayo Azikwe Michael, 41,” Ojelabi said.
He added that members of the victim’s family were on their way to Osun State, while the Customs officers linked to the incident had already reported at the command headquarters.
Asked whether the police would also investigate the conduct of officers stationed at the roadblock when the incident occurred, Ojelabi said the command was examining all aspects of the case.
“We are still on the matter. We will conclude the investigation between today and tomorrow,” he said.
“The two suspects (Customs operatives) are still with the police. We are also subjecting the police officers at the scene to investigation for verification. We won’t leave any stone unturned in getting to the root of the matter.” (PUNCH)
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