Police pledge forensic diligence after customs officers kill suspected car smuggler in Osun
The Nigeria Police Force has pledged to ensure the highest level of forensic diligence in the investigation of the shooting that led to the death of a citizen in Osun.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He said the Nigeria force was aware of the ongoing public interest and the recent statement by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) regarding the unfortunate shooting.
“While the Nigeria Police Force recognises the statutory duties of the NCS in anti-smuggling operations, the sanctity of human life remains the highest priority of the state.
“The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has noted the NCS’s call for a harmonised investigation.
“To this end, the Nigeria Police Force assures its sister agency and the public that the investigation will be conducted with the highest level of forensic diligence,” he said.
Mr Placid said the suspects arrested in connection with the incident would remain in police custody to facilitate a transparent inquiry.
He said the exhibits recovered were a Beretta pistol, breech no. 125024, and 9mm ballistic evidence is undergoing specialised analysis.
The police spokesman said the idea was to synchronise the facts with the operational rules of engagement (ROE).
He said the police and NCS had maintained a robust, professional relationship, adding that the incident was being treated as a matter of individual professional accountability.
Mr Placid urged the public to refrain from sensationalising the event as a conflict between the two agencies.
He extended the deepest condolences of the Nigeria Police Force to the family of the victim.
The police had arrested two customs officers in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in the Dada Estate area in Osogbo, the state capital, on Sunday.
The officers were reportedly chasing suspected tokunbo (foreign-used) vehicle smugglers when the incident occurred.
(NAN)
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