On Friday, July 10,a 28 year old trader Kabiru
Mohammed, was said to be dealing in second-hand shoes and was returning
from the Seme area in his car at about 5am.was when he was stopped at a
checkpoint manned by customs officials around the Federal Government College
area in Ijanikin.It was gathered that after the inspection by the NCS
officials, Mohammed was told he could leave.
However, one of the thugs, reportedly
working with the NCS officials, was said to have given Mohammed’s vehicle a
chase and thrown an object at the car tyres, which made the vehicle swerve and
somersault. Mohammed reportedly died on the spot before he could be
helped.Policemen from the Ijanikin division and soldiers at another checkpoint
in the area took Mohammed’s corpse away.
A commercial driver, identified only as Suleiman, said when
the officers and the thugs realised that Mohammed was dead, they fled the
checkpoint.
He added that the thug hurled the object in error,
thinking that Mohammed did not “settle” the customs officials.
He said,
“It was about 5.30am. The man was coming from the Seme area
and packed second-hand shoes in his vehicle. He was stopped by the customs
officers, and he settled them.
“They asked him to go, but one of the Kelebes (thugs)
lurking around the checkpoint did not know the man had been cleared. He ran
after him and threw the metal object under his tyre. The car climbed the object
and the driver lost control of the vehicle.
“The car somersaulted, and went off the road. The officers
and the thug took to their heels immediately. I later heard it was the
police and some soldiers who came to remove the corpse.”
A source in the area alleged that the thugs, who were
commonly called Aja or Kelebe, usually worked with customs officers at the
checkpoint to arrest traders carrying contrabands or those who refused to bribe
them.
“The Kelebes do not wear uniforms, but you will see
them lurking around the checkpoints. They collect money from the drivers, and
harass people as if they were the customs officers. They always share the money
collected,” he added.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth
Nwosu, confirmed Mohammed’s death. He added that the family had, however,
requested the corpse from the Ijanikin division for burial.
He said,
“The police at Ijanikin recovered the corpse. What we have
is a case of a fatal accident. Meanwhile, the family members have shown up at
the division to request the body of their relative. It has been released to
them.The Public Relations Officer, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja, Lagos,
Uche Ejesieme, said the comptroller had ordered a detailed investigation into
the incident. He added that the findings would soon be made public.
He said,
“We are investigating the cause of the incident. It is
pertinent to note that it is not in our character to exhibit conducts capable
of putting people’s lives at risks.
“The comptroller has ordered an investigation into the
matter.
“Meanwhile, our hearts and condolences go to the family and
dependents of the deceased.”
Punch
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