Police on the trail of Customs officer’s killers in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt for two hoodlums, who allegedly killed a Chief Superintended of Customs, Mato Adamu, at his place of residence on the Gowon Estate in Egbeda area of the Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Mato and his wife, Faida, were inside their apartment, Flat 10, Customs Block 12, Gowon Estate, on Friday, May 17, 2019, when the hoodlums allegedly attacked them and left the Customs officer with life-threatening injuries.

After the attack, it was learnt that the 56-year-old was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead.

A neighbour, who did not want his name in print, said the events that led to Mato’s death sent shivers down the spines of residents of the estate, adding that the deceased’s wife had been living with his relatives in order to recover from the shock.

He said, “This place is no longer secure and ever since my colleague’s death, I have been contemplating moving out of here. We are hearing different versions of what led to Mato’s death; some people are saying that he was killed by armed robbers, who came to rob his family, while others said he was trailed to his apartment and killed by assassins.

“But the best source of getting the true position of what happened is the police. Mato’s wife is now staying with his relatives. I plan to visit the police station to know how far they have gone with the investigation, because ever since his death, we have not heard anything from them. We want justice for his death.”

When contacted, the Apapa Command Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Customs Service, Nkiruka Nwala, confirmed the incident to our correspondent, and said the circumstances surrounding Mato’s death were unclear, adding that the police had commenced investigation into the matter.

Nwala said, “Mato was a serving officer in the Apapa Area Command. Yes, he was killed and the police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death. We have already forwarded a report on the incident to the headquarters.

“He was with his wife when the incident happened and from the police extract, all I know is that unknown hoodlums came to his apartment and killed him. I don’t know how and why he was killed, but the police have commenced investigation into the matter.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said the Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Mu’Azu, had ordered an investigation into the matter, adding that the command had launched a manhunt for the suspected killers.

Elkana said, “On Saturday, May 18, 2019, around 9am, one Faida Adamu, of Customs Block 12, Flat 10, Gowon Estate, came to the station and reported that on Friday, May 17, 2019, around 9pm, she and her husband, Mato Adamu, 56, a Chief Superintendent of Customs attached to the Apapa Command, were attacked at their residence by two unknown men, who inflicted injuries on Mato’s head and got the couple tied up.

“Mato was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he was confirmed dead. The Commissioner of Police has ordered the homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, to investigate the matter. We have launched a manhunt on the perpetrators of the crime.”