Alleged sporadic shootings by some trigger-happy Nigerian Customs Service (NIS) operatives on Thursday have left four persons dead and 3 others injured, The Nation reports.

According to reports, the incident occurred at Moshalashi and Kola Bus Stops at Alagbado and Ajegunle in Alakuko.

It was learnt that the operatives were in pursuit of some rice smugglers when the incident happened.

The operatives were alleged to have shot into the crowd leading to the death of 4 people.

An eyewitness said, “It was around 7am. I was inside my house and suddenly I started hearing gunshots. I looked through the window to see what was happening and people were running. I saw about four Customs vehicle and the officers were just shooting anyhow.

“Later, I heard they were chasing rice smugglers but all the people they killed were Okada riders. Bullet hit one on the stomach; another person was hit on the leg and another one on the hand. About four people died. Blood was everywhere and the Customs men escaped.”

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP) said one person was killed.

She said: “Some Custom officials were on the trail of a vehicle, in the process they went berserk and started shooting. One passerby was shot to death around Ajegunle in Alakuko. A patrol team led by the DPO of Alakuko Division, moved to the area to douse the tension.

“They fired sporadically and escaped from the scene. The dead body was evacuated to morgue. Investigation is ongoing.”