The House of Representatives has ordered the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to pay N200 million to 10 persons killed by customs in Jibia, Katsina State and N160 million to eight persons killed in Oyo State.
The decision followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Customs and Excise that investigated the killings.
Lawmakers had moved different motions that the 3 separate killings should be investigated.
On Tuesday, the Committee of the Whole, chaired by Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, considered the report presented by the Chairman of the Committee on Customs and Excise, LekeAbejide (ADC, Kogi).
The House also resolved that, “As constant conflict with communities is counterproductive and unsustainable the Nigeria Customs Service should aggressively deepen its engagement with traditional rulers, community stakeholders, host communities, relevant trade associations, local police networks, and local security outfits to prevent future loss of lives and property on all sides.”
“The officers involved in the acts of killings of innocent Nigerians should be brought to book, prosecuted, and punished accordingly to serve as a deterrent to others.”
“That provision should be made for procurement of ballistic vehicles (Bullet Proof), Bullet Proof Vests, and helmets urgently for Nigeria Customs Service to confront the daredevil smugglers attacking their officers at Border Stations whenever the smugglers opened fire on them. This would encourage Nigeria Customs Service to be able to curtail smuggling with fewer causalities on their side.”