Armed Men Kill Customs Officer, Abducted Another In Kebbi

Armed men have killed one Customs officer and abducted another in Kebbi State.

The deceased, Dabo Umar, an Assistant Superintendent, was killed following an incursion at the Command’s Koko Besse Patrol Base on Thursday according to the statement from the spokesperson of the service, Mohammed Tajudeen.

NCS said the armed men also abducted a superintendent of customs, Babagana Kabiru during the attack.

The statement read partly: “With deep regret, we announce a distressing incident which occurred at our Koko Besse patrol base on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 2100 hours.

“A group of hoodlums attacked the patrol base, destroying properties and targeting our officers in a contest to the recent boost to anti-smuggling activities in the area.

“The armed men, after causing mayhem to the base, trailed and attacked two of our officers, one was shot and the other abducted.

“Unfortunately, Assistant Superintendent Customs I, Dabo Umar, lost his life while Superintendent of Customs, Babagana Abba Kabiru, was abducted and a hefty ransom was demanded for his release.

“The deceased officer’s body was retrieved and conveyed to Kaduna for burial according to Islamic rites.

“While a manhunt was launched for the killers and abductors of the officers, the Customs Area Controller, Iheanacho Ernest Ojike, has commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed for the release of the abducted officer.

“We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.”

Recall that a Customs Assistant II, Auwal Haruna was killed in April, at a checkpoint in the Gamji Makaho area of Katsina State after he was lynched by passengers.

The incident occurred because the deceased officer shot at the vehicle, killing a passenger.

Earlier in July, the Service’s Federal Operations Unit, Zone B announced the killing of one of its officers, an Inspector of Customs, Hamza Abdullahi-Elenwo who died during a stop and search operation at Achilafia along Daura-Kano road, Jigawa State.

The incident occurred when the vehicle suspected to have been smuggled into the country hit the operative while trying to evade arrest.