A House of Representative Committee has stressed the need of reforms to the operational guidelines of the Nigeria Customs Service for more professionalism and result.
The House Committee on Customs and Excise made the resolution at an investigative hearing over the death of eighteen people in Oyo and Katsina States alleged to have caused by the Customs activities.
Members of the Committee who expressed concern over the incidences also urged all arms carrying paramilitary agencies to always be guided by the rules governing the handling of weapons on duty.
While stressing the need for cautions in weapons handling, the lawmakers said protecting the lives and interest of Nigerians would remained at the centre of the legislative agenda of 9th assembly.
Representatives of Iseyin and Igbaka communities of Oyo State as well as Jibia Community of Katsina States have demanded compensation, apology and prosecution of those found responsible for the deaths.
Four people were killed in Iseyin, four in Igbaka all of Oyo State, ten also in Jibia, Katsina State while several others were injured in a Customs attempt to intercept smuggling in the three border communities.
However, the Nigerian Customs Service has denied the claims saying that the two incidences in Oyo State were as a result of the attempt by residents to obstruct its duty while Katsina incidence was a vehicular accident.
Dominica Nwabufo
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