Reckless killings: State govt threatens to drag Customs to court
By Seun Ibiyemi
The Katsina State government said it may institute a legal action against the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to serve as deterrent over the reckless killings of people by customs vehicles in the state.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari disclosed this in a press statement issued by the state Director General of Media, Labaran Malumfashi during the weekend.
The Katsina Governor condemned in strong terms the recurring senseless killings of citizens through reckless driving by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service in the state.
He warned that the government will henceforth not condone any more of such incidents.
The Governor’s position comes in the wake of the recent death of eight people who were crushed by an operative of the Nigeria Customs service driving an official vehicle in Jibia Local Government on Monday, August 9, 2021.
While extending his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and those who sustained injuries, Governor Masari warned that the government would not fold its arm while law abiding citizens are killed with impunity by reckless government agents who are supposed to protect them.
Recall that the Nigerian Customs Service patrol vehicle on last week Monday crushed seven persons to death, including a 13-year-old girl along Jibia-Kauran highway while chasing suspected rice smugglers.
It was gathered that no fewer than 19 others sustained serious injuries.
Dalha Wada-Chedi, the acting Controller of NCS in the state, confirmed the incident to journalists in Katsina. He however said the incident occurred when some operatives of the Border Drill went to Jibia to get “food.”
A resident of the area Abubakar Jibia said that the incident occurred around 10 am when the Customs officers in their patrol vehicle were pursuing a J5 Peugeot vehicle that was suspected to be carrying smuggled contraband.
Jibia remarked that the victims who were believed to be farmers were standing by the roadside when the patrol vehicle suddenly veered off the highway and hit them and crushed them on the spot.
He said this attracted the villagers to rush to the scene in order to save lives.
Another eyewitness, Usman Kabir, said: “The patrol vehicle and the smugglers’ vehicle were on top speed and they were just approaching Jibia town when the driver of the patrol vehicle veered off the highway and ran over the people.
“Six people died on the spot, one died while being rushed to the General Amadi Orthopedic Hospital Katsina, while the remaining 19 who sustained injuries are presently on admission at the same hospital.”
He explained that the smugglers escaped while an angry mob at the scene of the incident set ablaze the customs patrol vehicle before the arrival of security personnel.
While reacting to the incident, Dalha Wada-Chedi, the acting Controller of NCS in the state said, “It is really unfortunate. We had to use our cordial relationship with the communities, the police, military and other sister security organizations to bring the situation under control.
“From the report we received so far, five people died and others are receiving treatment in the hospital. “Those of our men involved are currently with the police and investigation is already ongoing to unravel the circumstances behind the incident.
