Smuggler kills Customs Officer while Evading Arrest

An officer attached to the Federal Operations Unit, Zone B of the Nigeria Customs Service has been killed by a suspected smuggler.

The officer lost his life while the suspect was evading arrest at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State.

The Customs officer was identified as Inspector of Customs (IC), Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo.

Isah Sulaiman, Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer FOU Zone B in a statement described the unfortunate incident that occurred on Friday, 12 July 2024, as sad.

According to him, the incident occurred when a vehicle suspected to be smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest.

• ‘One chance’ robbers kill police inspector in Abuja
• Trump bleeds after multiple shots at his rally

“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 said.

The Head of 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 prays for his eternal rest.

The Comptroller vowed to ensure justice is served as One (1) Suspect has been arrested and now 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.

Late Inspector Hamza was an indigene of Rivers State. He 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.