Suspected Smuggler Kills Customs Operative At Checkpoint In Jigawa

An Inspector of Custom (IC) Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo attached to the Federal Operations Unit

Zone B, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has died after a he was run over by a suspected smuggler at Achilafia in Jigawa State.

While expressing grief over the untimely death of the officer, Controller of the Unit, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu disclosed that inspite of rushing the wounded officer to more than one hospital for treatment, he gave up the ghost at the second hospital.

A statement made available to our reporter by the Unit Public Relations Officer, SC Isah Sulaiman said the late Elonwo who hails from Rivers State has been buried according to Islamic rites.

The statement reads: “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.”

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.”

While condoling with the family of the late operative on behalf of the entire Officers and Men of the Unit, Shuaibu prayed for the repose of the fallen Elenwo.

According to Shuaibu, 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.

While vowing to ensure that justice is served, Shuaibu said “One (1) Suspect has been arrested and is in the Custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State.”

This is even as he added that the unit’s operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling.