Hold Perpetrators of Anayo's Murder Accountable

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MOST Nigerian security agents are yet to learn the rules of engagement. There are Standard Operating Procedures to which they must adhere. But the manner in which some of them open fire on people shows that such procedures and human lives mean nothing.

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About 10 am on March 15, some officers of the Nigeria Customs Service shot and killed a motorist, Michael Anayo, 41, on the Iwo-Osogbo Road, close to a police checkpoint, in Osun State. The officers, who were said to be in mufti, had pursued the driver from the Iwo end of the highway.

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Preliminary findings by the Oyo/Osun Area Command of the NCS indicated that the officers were attempting to intercept a suspected smuggled foreign used vehicle, popularly called Tokunbo.

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It is not certain why the officers were in mufti, or how they determined that the victim was a smuggler. Even if he was a smuggler, shouldn’t it have been more sensible to demobilise the vehicle and arrest him?

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This killing has further dented the image of the NCS. It has also added to the disturbing spike in extrajudicial killings by security agents in Nigeria.

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In 2021, some Customs officers reportedly killed some residents at Iseyin and Igangan in Oyo State while pursuing alleged smugglers.

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In August 2021, a Customs vehicle rammed into people by the roadside and reportedly killed 13 bystanders while chasing alleged smugglers at Jibia in Katsina State. An officer was detained for manslaughter following the incident.

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In June 2023, officers of the NCS killed a resident of Iwere-Ile in Iwajowa Local Government Area of Oyo State, Olanrewaju Quadri. Two others sustained bullet injuries.

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In February, Customs officers allegedly shot dead a car dealer in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. This sparked outrage and calls for thorough investigations.

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Already, the Osun State Police Command is probing the latest killing in the state. The probe also involves police officers stationed at a police checkpoint near the scene of the incident.

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The Customs authorities are also investigating the matter. Two of the operatives involved in the operation, Kolawole Suuti and Danjuma Samuel, are already being detained.

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Part of the investigation involves reviewing the officers’ operational mandates and conduct. This is to assess whether their actions complied with the Customs’ Rules of Engagement and other operational guidelines.

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Past probes of this nature yielded little or no dividend. The House of Representatives investigated the Iseyin/Igangan incidents in Oyo, and the Jibia incident in Katsina, and recommended a compensation of N20 million to be paid by the Service to each of the deceased’s families.

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It also recommended N2 million compensation for those who sustained injuries. This amounted to a total of N390 million.

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The House also recommended prosecuting and punishing the officers involved to serve as a deterrent to others. It is not certain if these recommendations were carried out.

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In other countries, there are non-lethal means of restraining offenders.

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Security agents introduce lethal force only when their lives or those of others are in danger.

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A typical example is Japan, where police officers are not authorised to shoot to kill. Though the police are usually armed, the use of lethal force is extremely rare. In 2015, for instance, the police reportedly fired only six shots across the entire country!

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The Japanese police are trained in arresting techniques that emphasise martial arts, de-escalation and capturing suspects alive. Weapons are only used either in self-defence or to arrest a suspect who is resisting or fleeing after committing a violent crime.

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Nigerian law enforcement agents should emulate this and stop being high-handed and reckless. They should employ some decency in carrying out official duties.

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Any vehicle can be traced, and the owner apprehended later if need be. There should be internal control measures and regular orientation for these security men.

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The Osun killing shouldn’t be swept under the carpet. The killers must face the music after a thorough investigation. The case should be used to teach security agents some lessons.

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The Customs Comptroller-General, the Inspector-General of Police and the Interior Affairs Minister should show interest in this case. They must ensure that action is not just taken, but is seen to have been taken.

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