By Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confirmed the death of a 35-year old smuggler, Shuaibu Lawal as a result of a clash between a group of smugglers and men of the Service.
Briefing news men in Sokoto on Monday, the Customs Area Comptroller (CAC) in charge of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Sani Madugu said that the ugly incident happened around Gwadabawa on Sokoto – Illela road.
“A life was lost during clash between rice smugglers and men of the Customs,” he confirmed adding that “the Command immediately mobilised the Operations Unit and all those on duty were handed over to the Police for investigation.”
Madugu, who disclosed that one of the officers of the Command was machetted and lying at the Trauma section of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto also said that four Customs formations were burnt down by some unidentified people.
“We are not happy with this ugly development and the Comptroller General of Customs will not accept what happened. We will rely on the investigation of the Police and if found wanting, officers involved will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.
He appealed to the people of the state to remain calm because “whatever the Police investigation reveals will be relied upon on the matter.
Posted by Abdallah el-kurebe
