Customs Officer Killed in Smuggling Incident on Daura-Kano Road

Tragedy on Daura-Kano road as a customs officer is killed during a smuggling bust. Get the full story here. 

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has announced the unfortunate passing of Inspector of Customs (IC) Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo.

The tragic event took place on Friday during a stop-and-search operation at Achilafia along the Daura-Kano road in Jigawa.

As per a statement from SP Isah Sulaiman – Public Relations Officer for the Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, Kaduna, the individual suspected of being involved in smuggling activities fatally wounded Inspector Hamza while trying to escape arrest with a suspected smuggled vehicle.

Inspector Hamza was promptly taken to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries.

Originally from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Inspector Hamza was born on April 15, 1985.

The statement revealed that he joined the Nigeria Customs Service in 2013 and was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs in 2022. He is survived by a wife and two children, and was laid to rest in Katsina in accordance with Islamic customs.

Following the incident, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and highlighted the risks faced by customs officers in the course of their duties. He denounced the irresponsible actions of smugglers and pledged to seek justice for Inspector Hamza.

“This tragic occurrence highlights the serious risks and hazards encountered by our staff in combating smuggling activities,” Shuaibu remarked. “We are dedicated to ensuring that justice prevails, and we will persist in our resolute efforts to combat smuggling despite these obstacles.”

One suspect has been captured and is presently in custody at the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa, as investigations into the incident progress.