The Nigerian Customs Service on Wednesday, sent a high-powered delegation to condole with the family, the government and the people of Katsina State, over the recent killing of a young dedicated Customs Officer attached to the Katsina Customs Area Command.
The deceased Customs Officer identified as Auwalu Haruna, was killed last month by an angry mob along Dankama Border Town in Kaita Local Government Area of Katsina State while he was on duty.
The delegation led by the Customs Comptroller in charge of the Katsina State Customs Area Command, Muhammad Abubakar, first visited the family of the deceased at Kayawa village in Dutsi Local Government Council Area, where prayers were offered for the soul of the deceased officer.
According to Comptroller Muhammad Abubakar, the family left behind by the deceased will not be left alone.
He promised that justice would be served, and also pledged to go after those responsible for the dastardly act.
On his part, the Customs Comptroller in charge of the Federal Operations Zone B, Ahmadu Shu’aibu, said the service was deeply saddened by the incident, stating that investigation is still ongoing to fish out perpetrators of the act, and to ensure Justice.
“The late Auwalu Haruna has paid the supreme price because he was killed while in active service to his fatherland”, he said.
While speaking, father of the deceased officer, Haruna Tanko, who could not hold back his tears, appreciated the delegation for the visit.
“Indeed, death is inevitable, we will continue to encourage and support the Nigerian Customs Service being one of the best revenue-generating institutions in the country.
“The deceased was in the service for two years. So we want Adeniyi to assist us by bringing his replacement into the area please”, he requested.
While responding to the request, the Coordinator of the Joint Border Patrol Team, Comptroller Aminu Abubakar, promised to convey their request to the customs service for action to be taken.
The delegation further proceeded to the hometown of former president Muhammadu Buhari, Daura, where they paid a similar visit to the emir of Daura, HRH Umar Faruq Umar at his palace.
The emir in response, asked the delegation to tell the Customs Comptroller General, Bashir Adeniyi, to continue his good work of generating lawful revenue for the country.
“I am saddened to hear the loss of one of our hardworking customs officers. Customs Service is next to NNPC in each country.
“If Customs Service and NNPC are to be given the opportunity, Nigeria will have no reason to borrow money from other countries.
“I urge the newly recruited customs officers in the country to follow the footsteps of their superior officers who I believe know the job very well”, the emir added.
The delegation also visited the graveyard where the deceased officer was buried, and offered prayers for Almighty Allah to grant him eternal rest.
Late Auwalu Haruna was killed on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, by an angry mob while on duty along Dankama Border Town in Kaita Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The incident occurred when the driver of a truck loaded with some food items, suspected to have been smuggled into the country, refused to stop when asked to do so for routine checkups by customs operatives.
In reaction, one of the officers allegedly fired gunshots at the moving truck, killing one of the passengers on board.
The situation triggered an angry mob to go after Haruna, who eventually ran into a nearby building to seek refuge.
He, however, was eventually caught up and lynched by the angry mob.
