A road crash involving some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and suspected smugglers has claimed the lives of two people in Oyo State. The accident happened on Thursday along the Iseyin-Ibadan road, according to eyewitnesses.
Newsflash Nigeria reports that the customs officers were pursuing some vehicles believed to be carrying smuggled goods when they lost control and crashed into a nearby ditch.
One of the customs officers and a resident of the state, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, died on the spot. Several others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The vehicle used by the customs officers was badly damaged and was later towed to Iseyin town. However, the suspected smugglers escaped from the scene.
The NCS authorities have given conflicting accounts of the incident. While the Public Relations Officer of the Oyo and Osun Command, Kayode Wey, said he was not aware of the accident, his counterpart at the Federal Operating Unit (FOU) Zone A, Theophilus Duniya, confirmed it but said it was a lone accident.
He also said that only one customs officer died and that they were not chasing anyone when the accident occurred.
The incident has raised questions about the safety and professionalism of the customs officers who often engage in high-speed chases with suspected smugglers on busy roads.
Many residents have called for a thorough investigation and accountability for the loss of lives and property.
