The Osun State Police Command has identified the man allegedly shot dead along the Iwo–Osogbo Road on Sunday and confirmed that officers stationed at a nearby roadblock are also under investigation.
Police authorities disclosed that two operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service suspected to be responsible for the shooting are currently in detention, while the conduct of police personnel present at the scene is also being scrutinised as part of an ongoing investigation.
The incident, which occurred around 10 a.m. on Sunday near the Onibueja area of Ido-Osun, sparked outrage among residents after reports emerged that a driver was fatally shot by suspected customs officers.
According to eyewitness accounts and a video circulating online, the shooting took place close to a police roadblock. The attackers, reportedly dressed in mufti, were said to be security operatives pursuing the driver from the Iwo end of the road before opening fire.
Footage from the scene showed the victim’s vehicle riddled with bullets while an angry crowd gathered, demanding that authorities identify those responsible and ensure justice is served.
Confirming the incident in a statement earlier, 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.
However, the police initially withheld the identity of the victim.
Providing an update during an interview on Monday, Ojelabi revealed that the deceased had been identified as 41-year-old Anayo Azikwe Michael, a native of Delta State.
“The deceased was from Delta State. His name is Anayo Azikwe Michael, 41,” the police spokesperson said.
He added that relatives of the deceased were already on their way to Osun State, while the customs officers linked to the shooting had reported at the command headquarters for questioning.
Ojelabi further disclosed that investigators were examining every aspect of the incident, including the actions of police personnel stationed at the nearby roadblock when the shooting occurred.
“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.”
The incident has intensified public concerns over the conduct of security operatives and the use of firearms during road pursuits, particularly in densely populated areas.
Authorities say the outcome of the investigation will determine the next course of action regarding the suspects and any other officers found culpable.
