An Inspector of Customs (IC) Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo has been killed by a suspected car smuggler in Kaduna State.
Abdullahi-Elenwo death was announced by the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, on Saturday, July 14, 2024, in a statement issued by SP Isah Sulaiman, the spokesperson for the unit.
Details shared by Sulaiman show that the officer was run over by a suspected smuggler on Friday, July 12, 2024, during a stop-and-search operation at Achilafia along the Daura-Kano road in Jigawa.
According to Sulaiman, the suspect has been detained while Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu vowed to ensure justice for the slain officer.
Sulaiman said, “The incident happened when a vehicle, suspected of being smuggled into the country struck the operative while attempting to evade arrest.
“The late officer was rushed to General Hospital Kazaure and later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.”
The life and times of late IC Abdullahi-Elenwo
IC Abdullahi-Elenwo a native of Port Harcourt, Rivers, was born on April 15, 1985, and joined the Nigeria Customs Service as Customs Assistant III (CAIII) in the Transport and Logistics Unit on October 17, 2013. He was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs (IC) in 2022.
The late NCS officer is survived by his wife and two children and his remains have been laid to rest in Katsina according to Islamic rites.
On behalf of the NCS and his unit, Comptroller Shuaibu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family and prayed for his eternal rest.
Sulaiman in the statement said, “Shuaibu noted that the incident highlights the level of desperation among smugglers who operate with disregard for human life.”
According to him, the Comptroller cited Abdullahi-Elenwo’s killing as one of the many instances where smugglers killed and maimed personnel of the service in attempts to evade arrest.
Further vowing to ensure justice is served, the Comptroller said one suspect has been arrested and is in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa.
He added, “The unit’s operatives would not be deterred and would remain unwavering in the fight against smuggling.”
