A Nigerian Customs Officer identified as Inspector Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo has been killed by suspected smuggler while evading arrest.
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B has announced this in a statement made available to Newsmen.
The incident, according to the Zone B Public Relations Officer, Isa Suleiman, occurred 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 have been 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 (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the Doctor on duty.
According to him, the deceased has been laid to rest in accordance to Islam 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 entire Officers and Men of the Unit, extend his heartfelt condolence to the deceased’s family and pray 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 (1) Suspect 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 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.
