TheCable

The Oyo government says officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) — not gunmen — raided Igangan, Ayete and Igbo-Ora communities, three agrarian areas in Ibarapa area of the state.

Three people reportedly lost their lives during the raid on the communities on Friday.

In a statement on Saturday, Taiwo Adisa, chief press secretary to Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, said political and traditional rulers of the affected towns described the raid “as unnecessary and not well thought out”.

Adisa said the leaders stated this when Sunday Odukoya, aide to the governor on security matters, visited the affected areas.

“The raid left so much turmoil in our communities as the Customs men came, shooting sporadically. Many of our people ran helter-skelter,” Jimoh Olajide Titiloye, the Olu of Igbo Ora, was quoted as saying.

“We want it stated loud and clear that our communities, Igbo Ora, Igangan and Ayete are not border towns. Why should Customs turn the communities to theatres of bloodshed and war?

“We want customs to regulate their operations. It will be better if the authorities restrict them to border towns to end unwarranted attacks on innocent communities.”

On his part, Adeoye Adedoyin, chairman of Ibarapa north LGA, was quoted to have said the “regrettable” incident has threatened the peace of the area.

“We have received the cooperation of state and non-state actors in our efforts aimed at boosting security,” Adedoyin said.

“The hunters, Amotekun and other security agencies have been cooperating fully, but we were shocked to hear reports of sporadic gunshots and commotion that ensued after a raid by men of Customs Service.”