The traditional ruler of Joforo Community in Badagry West Local Government Area of Lagos State, Peter Taseyon, has lamented incessant invasion and attacks on his community by Customs officers, calling on the Federal Government to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.
He disclosed that the latest attack occurred on Saturday, leading to two persons being shot and others injured.
Doctors at an unidentified hospital were said to be battling to save the lives of those shot.
The Customs officers were alleged to have invaded the community in three Toyota Hilux at about 3.45am purportedly in search of smuggled rice but didn’t find any.
“About 3:45am of February 11, 2023. I was in my room when I heard a gunshot. I rushed out to know what was happening, only to discover it was some Customs officers searching for smuggled rice. Unfortunately, they could not find even a cup of rice after the search.
“All of a sudden, they started shooting. Two persons were shot. Two others sustained injuries, one person was hit by a vehicle in the resultant stampede. The Customs vehicle also destroyed a house.
“I have already reported the case to the Police at the Badagry division and I have gone to the king to tell him that we don’t want to see them in our community again. I don’t know why they entered our community despite all the checkpoints on the roads.
“We have decided not to take laws into our hands. This is the third time they are invading our community at midnight, firing gunshots, searching peoples’ houses and harassing our women. During these searches, they never found anything incriminating,” Taseyon said.
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