NANS CONDEMNS EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLING OF STUDENTS BY MEN OF NIGERIA CUSTOMS SERVICE (NCS), DEMANDS JUSTICE.

_If we can not be protected by the security agencies, then we should not be harmed by them._

It is with great shock, disdain and disbelief that the entire leadership of NANS South West Zone under the leadership of Comrade Kappo Samuel received the report of the legally unwarranted and extra judicial killing of a young and promising girl named Sekinat Agbelade at Agososa in Ipokia LGA of Ogun State. Sekinat, a Senior Secondary School 3 student was said to have been hit by stray bullets while returning from an errand for her parents on Saturday by men of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun State Command 1, who were in pursuit of some alleged smugglers at Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government and also allegedly injured 15 residents of the area during the unprofessional clash between the duo.

The Deputy Coordinator NANS South West, Comrade Oladimeji Uthman writes to loudly condemn this nefarious act. Late Sekinat of Agosasa Community High School, was preparing for her West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) before her untimely death.
This is one of the future of our great nation that has just been cut down in the prime.

It is quite sad, unfortunate and disheartening that the Nigeria Customs Service Ogun State Command 1 seems to be rewarding the hospitality of the host border community with incessant and reckless killings of the people and therefore taken them for a ride. This barbaric and unprofessional act must STOP.
The cost of recklessness and irresponsibility of our law enforcement agencies is right in our faces. It begins to appear as if human life worths nothing to these folks. A law enforcement agency or body that is supposed to protect our borders now keep long records of extra judicial maiming and killing of innocent citizens.

It is quite unfortunate that this innocent member of NANS (Sekinat Agbelade) will not be resuming with her colleagues to complete her secondary education at the end of this COVID-19 lock down.

I call this act villainous and thoughtless of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), an agency that is meant to protect the border area and not maim, mutilate or injure the border inhabitants and in totality, i frown and condemn this killing which was barbaric and criminal. I therefore call on the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, the Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hammed Ali (rtd) and the Ogun Command Comptroller, Agbara O.M to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to book and ensure they face justice or await a rugged and dogged demonstration on our part as the leadership of all Nigerian Students in South West Geopolitical Zone of the country as there is no excuse neither any justification for this extra judicial killing from his men and also demand for a total review of operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun State Command. Armed pursuit of fleeing smugglers should be declared completely illegal, especially in inhabited areas.

It would also be recalled that such in recent times claimed the life of another young man Mr. Odushina Opeyemi at Ihunbo in this same Local Government.

It is high time the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) retrain her officers and men in the modern and globally accepted best practice of border control as it is been done in other countries which value the life of their citizens. Also, the Federal Government of Nigeria should add to their recruitment metrics, psychology and ideological test before accepting anyone into any law enforcement agencies especially the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

To this end, the leadership of NANS South West Zone give 48hours ultimatum to Ogun State Government and its relevant agencies to do the necessary and not to keep mute on this issue and also charge the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to take the necessary steps as the perpetrators of this heinous act be brought to book.
However, we urge the state government to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased and provide some succor materials in order to console them of their pains and they should also be appropriately compensated for their loss.
Though, no amount can fix what has been damaged.

Our heart feel so grieved as we sympathize with the family of Agbelade at this moment, most especially during this trying period of COVID-19.
At the same time, all students in South West mourn, sympathize and enjoined the family of our member and the good people of the entire local government to accept the wish of God Almighty.

May the lord of Á luta grant rest to the departed soul.


 _Until all are Freed,_
_All remain Slaves._


*E-signed:*
COMRADE OLADIMEJI UTHMAN ”DAN FODIO”
DEPUTY COORDINATOR,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN STUDENTS,
SOUTH WEST ZONE (NANS ZONE D).