Smugglers who killed Customs officer in Katsina must be arrested – Controller-General, Adewale

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, says it will follow all legal means to ensure that the smugglers who brutally killed its operative, Auwal Haruna, in Katsina State are arrested.

The Controller-General, Bashir Adewale, gave the assurance when he visited the family of the deceased in the Kayawa community, in the Dutsi Local Government Area of the state on Wednesday. 

He said that the suspected smugglers killed Haruna, a Customs Assistant ll, at Gamji Makaho checkpoint, Dankama in Kaita Local Government Area on April 17, 2024. 

The melee was triggered when a team of customs officers attached to Katsina Area Command attempted to intercept a convoy of over fifty vehicles transporting goods suspected of illegal movement outside the country. 

Haruna and his fellow officers exhibited remarkable courage in their duty to thwart these audacious economic saboteurs. Their actions sparked a confrontation with an enraged mob who viciously attacked and fatally assaulted CA II Auwal Haruna. 

The C-G was represented by the Controller, Katsina Command, Mr Muhammad Umar-Abubakar, accompanied by other Controllers from the Kaduna zone.

“Every of our personnel is important to the service, therefore we will never allow the killers of Haruna to go free,’’ he vowed.

Mr Adewale, however, said the service would ensure that the suspects were arrested and prosecuted accordingly, adding that the incident was painful and unforgettable

He also prayed for the repose of the departed soul and assured his parents that NCS would continue to be with them during their trying period

Speaking, the Chairman, Dutsi Local Government Area, Ado Rabe, commended the delegation for the visit.

He described the death of Haruna as a great loss to the entire community, adding that Auwal was the only Customs personnel in the area.

Mr Rabe appealed to the C-G to consider an offer to another son of the community. 

The father of the deceased burst into tears when asked to respond.

The delegation later visited the Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq-Umar, for a similar condolence.