Smuggler kills Customs officer in Kaduna

An officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit, Zone B in Kaduna State, Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo, has been killed by a suspected smuggler in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Federal Operations Unit, SP Isah Sulaiman, on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Sulaiman disclosed that the suspected smuggler has been arrested, adding that Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu vowed to ensure justice for the slain Customs officer.

He stated: “The incident happened when a vehicle, suspected of being smuggled into the country, struck the operative while attempting to evade arrest.

“The late officer was rushed to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.”

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The Customs spokesperson quoted Shuaibu as vowing to ensure that justice was served,  adding: “One suspect has been arrested and is in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa.

‘The unit’s operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling.”

Hamza, an indigene of Port Harcourt in Rivers State, was born on April 15, 1985.

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

Sulaiman added: “He is survived by his wife and two children and his remains have been laid to rest in Katsina according to Islamic rites.

“Shuaibu, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the unit, extended his heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family and prayed for his eternal rest.

“Shuaibu noted that the incident highlights the level of desperation among smugglers who operate with disregard for human life.”

The Star