Customs refutes allegation of murder during Eruwa local govt elections.

The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has distanced itself from claims by some online publications alleging it of  killing two persons in Eruwa Community, during the just concluded Local Government Elections in Oyo State.

The commamd described the report linking the service to the death of two individuals in Eruwa, one of the seven Ibarapa communities as falsehood.

The spokesperson of the Command, Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 Kayode Wey, in a statement on Monday, disclosed that investigation into the matter established that there was a clash between political supporters of candidates, which led to the destruction of properties and the possible loss of lives as being reported.

The Command however, stated that it was wrongly linked to the incident; as the NCS had nothing to do with the unfortunate situation and was nowhere near the area at the time, as it has no business with politics.

The statement read, “Contrary to claims in various reports, no Customs personnel or vehicle was sighted during and after the election process; and at the scene of the incident. For the avoidance of doubt, our officers are identified by their official uniform and uniquely coloured operational vehicles while performing our statutory duties.

“The vehicle in question at the scene of the incident was reported to be a White Toyota Hilux pickup which is not for the Nigeria Customs Service.

“While the motive for the linkage of the Service to the story remains unknown, we state clearly that Nigeria Customs Service personnel were not there and could not have been involved in a political crisis.

“The Command urged members of the public to desist from spreading false news that is capable of breaching peace between the service and its host communities.

“This dangerous false narrative should be ignored and seen as hand work of those who do not want peace and mutual relationship between the Service and the host communities.

“Nigeria Customs Service will remain committed to the course of Nation building by discharging its statutory functions of suppressing smuggling, revenue generation and facilitation of legitimate trade in tandem with the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) Cap C45 LFN 2004.”, it added.