Hit-and-run smuggler kills Customs officer in Jigawa

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, July 12, 2024 at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road, Jigawa State during a stop-and-search operation.

The Customs spokesman explained that the incident occurred 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, Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.

He said the deceased has been buried according to Islamic 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.”

The Customs spokesman quoted the Head of Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, to have on behalf of the officers and men of the unit, extended his condolence to the deceased’s family and prays 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 auspect has been arrested and is in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State,” he said.

He added that the unit’s operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling.

Our correspondent reports that Inspector Hamza, an indigene of Port Harcourt, Rivers State was born on April 16, 1985.

He joined the Nigeria Customs Service as Customs Assistant III (CAIII) in the Transport and Logistics Unit on 17 October 2013 and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs (IC) in the year 2022.

He is survived by a wife and two children.

In April, NCS announced the death a Customs Assistant 11 attached to the Katsina Area Command, Auwal Haruna.

National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, said the incident occurred at the Gamji Makaho checkpoint in the Dankama area of Katsina State.

He explained that trouble started when a team of officers attached to Katsina Area Command attempted to intercept a convoy of over 50 vehicles suspected to be illegally transporting goods out of the country.