Killers of NCS officer, CA II, in Katsina shall be apprehended - Customs CG

By Abiodun OBA

Suspected smugglers who launched a brutal attack on Customs operatives at Gamjin Makaho checkpoint along the Katsina-Dankama road on April 17, 2024, where Customs Assistant II, Auwal Haruna was killed shall not go scot-free.

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Kayawa, a community in Dutsi Local Government Area of the State.

SC Tahir Balarabe, the Command’s Public Relations Officer for Katsina Area Command disclosed this in a statement he issued on Thursday.

Adeniyi said the NCS has commenced investigations and will find those responsible. He vowed the killers wouldn’t go unpunished, demonstrating the importance of every NCS personnel.

Referring to the incident as “painful and unforgettable,” CG Adeniyi stressed that NCS will ensure the suspects are arrested and punished.

The Customs CG described the killing as unprovoked and expressed grief over the death of Haruna. He commiserated with the family and the entire Kayawa community.

Adeniyi highlighted the dangers faced by NCS officers and saluted their heroism, courage, determination, and patriotism.

“NCS, in collaboration with other security agencies, are tirelessly working to apprehend the perpetrators to face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

While praying for Haruna’s soul, Adeniyi assured his family that the NCS will continue to support them during and after the grieving period. He added that the slain officer joins the ranks of those who served their nation with honour.

Addressing the delegation at the Government House in Katsina, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, charged security agencies in the state to arrest the killers of the customs officer in order to face the law.

He said: “It is very important that the security agencies in charge of investigation, to ensure that the culprits are brought to book and justice is done.

“On behalf of myself and the good people of Katsina State, I condoled the Comptroller General of Customs, and the entire personnel of the Service over the irreplaceable lost.”

He, however, said the engagements between the Nigeria Customs Service and border communities in the state were cordial and yielding positive results, hence the need for its sustainability.

The governor prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Aljanna firdaus “because he died while protecting the lives and properties of the citizens”.

The delegation also visited the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq-Umar, for the similar condolences, where he extolled the virtues of the late officer.

The Emir urged the Nigeria Customs Service to remain resolute in redeeming the enviable image of the service, and tackle smuggling and other cross-border crimes in the state.

The delegation of the Comptroller General of Customs comprises the Comptroller Federal Operation Zone B, Kaduna, Ahmadu Bello Shu’aibu; the Coordinator, Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 4, Comptroller Aminu Abubakar, and other senior officers.