Compt. Shuaibu Promises To Arrest, Prosecute Killer Of Customs Officer By Suspected Smuggler
By Asuquo Nuwak
The Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’ of Nigeria Customs Service, expressed displeasure over 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.
In a press statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the unit, SC Isah Sulaiman, disclosed that 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 is reported to have been laid to rest in Katsina, according to Islamic rites. The Customs Area Controller of the zone, promised to ensure justice for the deceased. Inspector Hamza, an indigene of Port Harcourt, 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 and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs (IC) in the year 2022. He is survived by a wife and two Children.
The Customs Area Controller of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘B’, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, 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, noted 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, however, promised to ensure justice is done as one suspect has been arrested and is in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State.
He added that the unit’s operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling.
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