By John Dike, Osogbo
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspected officers of the Nigeria Customs Service in connection with the fatal shooting of an importer of Tokumbo vehicle along the Osogbo–Iwo Road in Osun State.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday at the Onibueja area in Ido-Osun, has continued to spark outrage among residents, civil society groups, and road users, with growing calls for justice and stricter accountability for security operatives.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, disclosed that the two suspects had been taken into custody and are currently undergoing interrogation.
According to him, police operatives recovered five pistols and empty shells from the suspects, while statements have also been obtained from eyewitnesses to aid ongoing investigations.
“Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident. We recovered five pistols and empty shells, and statements have been recorded from eyewitnesses,” Gotan said.
The police commissioner further revealed that the body of the deceased was recovered from the custody of one of the suspects, identified as a superintendent.
He Said the officer was reportedly arrested while attempting to deposit the corpse at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital.
Sources added that the suspect’s personal vehicle was stained with the victim’s blood at the time of his arrest, raising further suspicion about his direct involvement in the incident.
Preliminary investigations, according to the police boss, revealed that the officers, who were allegedly dressed in mufti at the time of the incident, had been pursuing the victim’s vehicle from the Iwo axis before opening fire under circumstances that are still being unravelled.
He assured that the command would carry out a thorough and transparent investigation, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the process.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage obtained from the scene indicated that the victim’s vehicle was riddled with bullets, suggesting that several rounds were fired at close range. The victim was said to have died instantly, slumped behind the steering wheel before help could reach him.
Residents of the Onibueja community described the incident as shocking and deeply disturbing. An eyewitness, who identified himself simply as Sunday for security reasons, said the sound of rapid gunfire drew many people to the scene.
“The man was driving when the shots suddenly rang out. Within moments, his vehicle had been riddled with bullets. People rushed out from nearby houses and shops, and there was confusion everywhere,” he recounted.
The killing quickly triggered tension in the area, as angry youths and residents gathered at the scene demanding immediate action from authorities.
Some residents expressed concern over the increasing involvement of armed operatives in plain clothes, warning that such practices make it difficult for civilians to distinguish between law enforcement personnel and criminal elements.
Sources said the timely intervention of police operatives helped to calm the situation and prevent it from escalating into a full-blown crisis, as tempers flared among aggrieved residents.
The incident has further reignited public debate over the rules of engagement adopted by security agencies, particularly during pursuit operations. Stakeholders and community leaders have called for improved training, enhanced supervision, and strict adherence to operational guidelines to safeguard innocent lives.
Human rights advocates have also urged authorities to ensure transparency in the investigation process, stressing that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
As of the time of filing this report, the identity of the deceased had yet to be officially disclosed, while efforts were ongoing to trace and notify his family members.
Meanwhile, the police command has reiterated its commitment to justice, assuring the public that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law.
The tragic incident underscores growing concerns about the use of lethal force by security operatives in civilian areas and highlights the urgent need for reforms aimed at preventing avoidable loss of lives.
