The Nigeria Customs Service,
Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has decried
incessant attacks on its personnel allegedly being perpetrated by smugglers and
their criminal accomplices in Kano and Jigawa states.
Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has decried
incessant attacks on its personnel allegedly being perpetrated by smugglers and
their criminal accomplices in Kano and Jigawa states.
Public Relations Officer of the
Command, Isah Danbaba, made this known in a statement in Kano on Monday.
Command, Isah Danbaba, made this known in a statement in Kano on Monday.
He said that some customs operatives came under attack on
Saturday, Jan 26, while waiting to execute an information on suspected smuggled
vehicles which resulted from an accident involving a blue Volksgen Golf Car not
too far from the location of the customs officers.
He further explained that it was when the Federal Road Safety
Commission officers who arrived the scene of the accident sought the assistance
of the customs operatives to evacuate the injured to the nearest hospital that
the suspected smugglers pounced on them, thinking that the operatives were on
their trail to arrest them.
Danbaba said that while the discussion was on, the suspected
smugglers, who did not want customs officials along the road, mobilised and
attacked the operatives, claiming that they were the ones who caused the
accident.
He said: “Even the driver of the accident car vehemently
denied the smugglers’ claim.
“He said the attack left one of the customs officials
seriously injured, while the personal belongings of the operatives burnt.
“Again, in another development, the Area Command had on
Thursday, January 31, lost an officer who was hit by a fast speeding rice
smuggler.
“The Customs Area Controller, Nasir Ahmed, wishes to express
his dismay over the lawless acts and call on parents and community leaders to
call their wards to order.
“He assured that the mastermind would be fished out and
prosecuted, adding that from now the Command will not hesitate to use
appropriate force to deal with this disturbing development.
“Smuggling is a heinous crime and it
is the duty of the Nigeria Customs Service to stop it. Any attempt to obstruct
our statutory duty will be dealt with decisively. Enough is enough. ”
is the duty of the Nigeria Customs Service to stop it. Any attempt to obstruct
our statutory duty will be dealt with decisively. Enough is enough. ”
