Nigerian Customs Officer Killed By Suspected Smuggler
An officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) attached to the Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has been reportedly killed by a suspected smuggler.
Naija News learnt that the officer died during the encounter with the suspect, who was attempting to escape arrest while on the run in Achilafia, a location along the Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State.
The deceased customs official was identified as Inspector of Customs (IC), Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo.
Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer for Zone B of the Federal Operations Unit, Isah Sulaiman, in a statement on the incident on Friday, 12 July 2024, expressed his sorrow over the tragic event.
He explained that the fatal incident took place when a vehicle believed to be carrying smuggled goods collided with the officer in an attempt to avoid arrest.
“The late Operative was rushed to the General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the Doctor on duty. The deceased has been laid to rest in Katsina, according to Islamic rites,” he said.
Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, representing the Officers and Men of the Unit, expressed his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for his eternal rest.
The Comptroller has pledged to ensure that justice is served, as a suspect has been apprehended and is currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State.
He also stated that the unit’s operatives will not be discouraged and will remain steadfast in the battle against smuggling.
Inspector Hamza, who hailed from Rivers State, was born on 15 April 1985. He joined the Nigeria Customs Service as Customs Assistant III (CAIII) in the Transport and Logistics Unit on 17 October 2013. He was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs (IC) in 2022.
He is survived by a wife and two children.
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