The Osun State Police Command has identified the man allegedly shot dead along the Iwo–Osogbo Road on Sunday as 41-year-old Anayo Azikwe Michael from Delta State.
The command also disclosed that police officers stationed at a nearby roadblock when the incident occurred are currently under investigation alongside two operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service suspected to be involved in the shooting.
The incident, which occurred around the Onibueja area of Ido-Osun at about 10 a.m., reportedly sparked outrage among residents after the driver was allegedly shot by suspected customs operatives.
According to eyewitnesses and a video from the scene, the security operatives, dressed in mufti, were pursuing the driver from the Iwo end of the road before the shooting occurred near a police checkpoint.
The vehicle conveying the deceased was seen riddled with bullet holes, while angry residents gathered at the scene demanding a thorough investigation and justice for the victim.
Confirming the development in a statement, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, identified the suspected shooters as Kolawole Suuti and Danjuma Samuel, both operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Speaking further in an interview on Monday, Ojelabi revealed the identity of the deceased and said the victim’s family members were already on their way to Osun State.
“The deceased was from Delta State. His name is Anayo Azikwe Michael, 41,” Ojelabi said.
He added that the two customs operatives linked to the incident had reported to the police command headquarters and remained in custody as investigations continued.
Ojelabi also disclosed that the police were investigating officers stationed at the roadblock at the time of the incident to determine their level of involvement or response to the situation.
“We are still on the matter. We will conclude the investigation between today and tomorrow,” he said.
“The two suspects (Customs operatives) are still with the police. We are also subjecting the police officers at the scene to investigation for verification. We won’t leave any stone unturned in getting to the root of the matter.”
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