By JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, has vowed to unearth, arrest and prosecute the killers of the late Customs Assistant II, Auwal Haruna in Katsina State.
The Superintendent of Customs, Public Relations Officer, Katsina Area Command, Tahir Balarebe, in a statement today, said the CGC made the pledge while on condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Kayawa a community in Dutsi Local Government Area of the state, assuring that the service is doing everything possible to apprehend the perpetrators of the evil act.
Haruna was killed during a brutal attack by suspected smugglers on Customs operatives at Gamjin Makaho checkpoint along the Katsina – Dankama road in Kaita local council area of Katsina State on April 17, 2024.
Represented by a high-powered delegation led by the Customs Area Controller, Katsina Command, Comptroller Muhammad Umar, Adeniyi said the Nigeria Customs Service has since commenced investigation on the incident and will fish out those responsible for the act.
He added that the killers of the slain Customs officer would not go unpunished, saying that every one of their personnel is important and will never allow the perpetrators to go free.
According to him, NCS would ensure that the suspects are arrested and punished accordingly, lamenting that the incident is painful and they will never forget it.
The Customs CG described the killing of the NCS operative as unprovoked, expressed grief over the needless death of the gallant officer and commiserate with the family of the deceased and the entire Kayawa community.
He stated that the brutal attack on the Customs operatives demonstrates the dangers faced by men and officers of the Service in the line of duty, while saluting their heroism, courage, uncommon grit and patriotism.
The Comptroller General said, “NCS in collaboration with other security agencies, are tirelessly working to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure they face the full wrath of the law.”
While praying for the repose of the soul of Haruna, he assured his parents and Kayawa community that the Nigeria Customs Service would continue to be with them during and after the grieving period.
He explained that the slain office has joined the pantheon of great men who gave their all, with honour, in the service of their fatherland.
When the father of the deceased officer was trying to address the delegation, he wept uncontrolling hence his inability to speak.
The Chairman of Dutsi Local Government Area, Mr. Ado Rabe, who later spoke on behalf of the family, appealed to the management of the NCS to replace the late Haruna with one of his family members.
He said that the entire community has lost a humble son who was the only Customs personnel in the area, hence the need for the Nigeria Customs Service to consider his replacement.
While addressing the delegation at the Government House in Katsina, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, charged security agencies in the state to arrest the killers of the customs officer in order to face the law.
He said: “It is very important that the security agencies in charge of investigation, to ensure that the culprits are brought to book and justice is done.
“On behalf of myself and the good people of Katsina State, I condoled the Comptroller General of Customs, and the entire personnel of the Service over the irreplaceable lost.”
He said the engagements between the Nigeria Customs Service and border communities in the state were cordial and yielding positive results, hence the need for its sustainability.
The governor prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Aljanna firdaus “because he died while protecting the lives and properties of the citizens”.
The delegation also visited the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq-Umar, for the similar condolences, where he extolled the virtues of the late officer.
The Emir urged the Nigeria Customs Service to remain resolute in redeeming the enviable image of the service, and tackle smuggling and other cross-border crimes in the state.
The delegation of the Comptroller General of Customs comprises the Comptroller Federal Operation Zone B, Kaduna, Ahmadu Bello Shu’aibu; the Coordinator, Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 4, Comptroller Aminu Abubakar, and other senior officers.
