Fleeing smugglers kill Customs officer in Kaduna

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B on Saturday, announced the killing of one of its officers identified as Inspector of Customs, Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo.

The incident, according to the Zone B Public Relations Officer, Isa Suleiman in a statement in Kaduna, occurred on Friday, at Achilafia along Daura-Kano road, Jigawa State during a stop and search operation.

Suleiman explained that the incident happened when the vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest.

He added that the slain officer was rushed to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.

The Customs spokesperson added that the deceased has been laid to rest in accordance to Islam rites.

Suleiman said, “The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B is sad to announce the tragic demise of Inspector of Customs (IC) Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo in an unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, 12 July 2024 at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State during a stop and search operation.

“The incident occurred when a vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade 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 quoted the Head of Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, to have on behalf of the entire Officers and Men of the Unit, extended  his heartfelt condolence to the deceased’s family and prayed for his eternal rest.

“Comptroller Shuaibu asserted that the incident shows the level of desperation by smugglers operating without recourse to human lives, adding that it is also one of the many instances where smugglers kill and maim Personnel of the service in an attempt to evade arrest.

“The Comptroller vowed to ensure justice is served as One (1) Suspect has been arrested and is in the Custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State,” he said.