An Inspector of Customs, Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo was killed on Friday 12 July, 2024 at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State during a ‘stop and search’ operation.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone B made the disclosure on Saturday through a statement by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Isah Suleiman, a Superintendent of Customs.
SC Suleiman said the incident occurred when a vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit Elenwo while trying to evade arrest.
The unit’s spokesperson said the late operative was rushed to the General Hospital Kazaure from where he was later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where the doctor on duty pronounced him dead.
Suleiman added that the deceased customs officer has been laid to rest in Katsina, according to Islamic rites.
“Inspector Hamza, an indigene of Port Harcourt, Rivers State was born on 15 April 1985 and 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 and is survived by a wife and two Children,” Suleiman said.
The Head of Federal Operations Unit Zone B, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, extended his heartfelt condolence to the deceased’s family on behalf of the entire officers and men of the Unit, and prayed for his eternal rest.
Comptroller Shuaibu however lamented that the incident shows the level of desperation by smugglers operating without recourse to human lives.
He added that the incident was one of many instances where smugglers kill and maim personnel of the service in an attempt to evade arrest.
The Comptroller who disclosed that one of the suspects has been arrested and in custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State, also vowed to ensure that justice is served in the matter.
He stressed that operatives of the unit would not be deterred, but remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling.