Youths burn customs’ vehicle over death of 3 in A/Ibom
Some youths in Uya Oro, Oron LGA of Akwa Ibom State, have burnt a vehicle belonging to the Nigerian Customs Service alleging that its officers killed a motorcyclist and his two passengers.
A witness, Daniel Frank, said some customs officers chased a vehicle carrying three bags of rice and shot at the vehicle’s tyre and that the wheel pulled out and hit a motorcycle which was at the left side of the vehicle and on speed.
He said the impact of the tyre forced the motorcycle to careen under the vehicle.
He said the cyclist and two his passengers died instantly. That attracted the anger of other cyclists, youths and other residents, who mobilised themselves and burnt the customs Toyota Hilux van.
“Some people bought three bags of rice from Oron to prepare for those that attended a burial. When the customs operatives saw the rice, they tried to flag it down, and as the driver did not stop, they pursued the fleeing car.
“As the chase continued, the customs operatives shot at one of the tyres of the vehicle. Unfortunately, the tyre they shot disengaged and hit a motorcycle who was trying to overtake the vehicle. The motorcycle crashed under the vehicle killing the people instantly.
“Other cyclists and youths decided to attack the officers but they escaped leaving their vehicle which was set ablaze,” he added.
The Intelligence Officer of the customs, Joseph Ad, confirmed the incident, stating that though they were in Oron office, they heard of the incident.