Ogun State-based businessman and real estate entrepreneur, Babatunde Adeyemo, has narrated how his company laptop saved his life after he was shot at by a gun-totting Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officer while travelling along the Orile-Ibara Expressway.
Adeyemo, who was in the company of three aides, was on his way back to Abeokuta, the state capital having attended the Ibese Asakanran Day Festival, where he served as chairman of the event when the near-fatal incident happened.
The businessman and the chief executive officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited claimed that he would have been shot and probably left for dead save for the laptop placed in the compartment behind his seat that took the hit of the bullet.
Narrating his ordeal at a function he organised to provide relief materials for widows in the state on Thursday, he called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities to look into the numerous allegations of incessant vicious attacks by Customs officials in various Ogun communities.
Speaking extensively on the encounter, he said: “I want you all to take a moment and join me in expressing gratitude to God Almighty for sparing my life after a near-fatal shooting incident by an operative of the Nigeria Customs Service. It was a traumatic experience, but God’s mercy and protection saw me through.
“Perhaps, we may not be here today to mark this event if the shooting incident had taken a different turn. An overzealous, gun-toting law enforcement agent could have robbed widows of their source of joy this December but God did not allow evil to happen. Let us praise God!
“On Sunday, 8th December, this year, I attended the grand finale of the Ibese Asakanran Day Festival where I had the privileged to be the chairman of the occasion. While returning from the journey, my vehicle passed by a checkpoint mounted by Customs personnel along the Ibara-Orile area. I was inside the vehicle with some of my aides.
“Barely five seconds after we passed the checkpoint, we all heard the sound of gunshots. We immediately parked and found that our vehicle was shot at by one of the customs men. The bullet pierced through the back of my vehicle, damaging the back seat and was eventually stopped by the laptop kept directly behind me. But for the mercy of God, I could have been hit as I was seated directly where the bullet travelled.
“However, I am committed to fighting this anomaly, not only for myself but also in the interest of widows, some of whom have tragically lost their spouses in similar situations.”
Adeyemo also disclosed to Sunday Tribune that he filed an official complaint with the NCS through his legal counsel, CJP Ogugbara & Co., demanding investigation, justice and N50 million in compensation for data loss after the laptop containing data relating to local and diaspora investments worth billions of naira took the hit.
In the letter signed by Pascal Ogugbara and dated December 16, 2024, which was obtained by Sunday Tribune, Adeyemo also demanded the prosecution of the officer for attempted murder and a replacement of his damaged Mercedes Benz.
The prayers contained in the letter with reference no. CJPO/D.CNCS/D.BA/2024/12/01 include “immediate replacement of our client’s Mercedes-Benz G.L. 450 either in cash based on the prevailing market value of the car or to release a befitting substitute to our client. We are not talking about fixing or repairing the car. Please note that our client is willing to surrender the car any day any time.
“Payment of a compensation sum of N50 million only for loss of data, rebuilding of data and replacement of the totally destroyed laptop. This is just to assuage and ameliorate the untold hardship now faced by our client due to the data loss as a result of the incident;
“An apology letter addressed to our client and published in two national dailies and commencement of investigation into our complaints and identify the trigger-happy officer for sanctions and where necessary prosecution for attempted murder.”
The lawyer described the incident as “an assassination attempt and endangerment of life using firearms by uniformed men,” adding it runs contrary to provisions of the Criminal Code Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, Customs And Excise Management Act and the constitution.
Customs reacts
Meanwhile, FOU Zone A of the service has disclosed that it has launched an investigation into the incident while the officer who shot at Adeyemo’s vehicle has been detained.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the unit, Theophilus Duniya, the FOU Zone A Comptroller, Kola Oladeji, has launched a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter while the personnel involved is awaiting further disciplinary sanctions.
“The Nigeria Customs Service takes incidents of misconduct very seriously, and the shooting incident of December 8, 2024, by an operative of Federal Operations Unit Zone A, is no exception.
“Comptroller Kola Oladeji has swiftly taken action, launching a disciplinary committee to investigate the matter. The personnel involved in the incident has been identified and is currently in detention, awaiting further disciplinary sanctions.
“In line with the service’s commitment to professionalism and discipline, Comptroller Oladeji has also ordered the immediate replacement of the damaged laptop and the repair of the damaged vehicle. This prompt response demonstrates the service’s dedication to making amends and ensuring that such incidents are thoroughly addressed.
“It’s worth noting that the Nigeria Customs Service has a clear framework for addressing cases of misconduct,” the short statement read.
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