Armed Men Attack Customs’ Base, Kill One, Abduct Another
By Abimbola Abdullah
A group of armed men has attacked the patrol base Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in Kebbi State, destroyed properties, killed one officer, while another one was àbducted and his whereabouts still unknown.
Public Relations Officer, Kebbi Area Command, and Superintendent of Customs, Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, confirmed the incident, saying that manhunt has been launched for the killers and abductors of the officers.
He said the sad incident occurred at the Koko Besse patrol base on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at approximately 2100 hours.
Salisu gave the .are of the deceased as Assistant Superintendent Customs I Dabo Umar, while Superintendent of Customs Babagana Abba Kabiru was àbducted.
He said: “A group of armed men attacked the patrol base, destroying properties and targeting officers in contest to the recent boost to anti-smuggling activities in the area.
“The armed men, after causing mayhem to the patrol base, trailed and attacked two of our officers; shot one and abducted the other. Unfortunately, Assistant Superintendent Customs I Dabo Umar lost his life while Superintendent of Customs Babagana Abba Kabiru was abducted.
“The deceased officer’s corpse was retrieved and conveyed to Kaduna for burial according to Islamic rites.
“While a manhunt has been launched for the killers and abductors of the officers, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) Iheanacho Ernest Ojike commiserates with the family of the deceased and prays for the release of the abducted officer.
“We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the affected officer and the deceased.
“It is pertinent to state that this unfortunate incident will not deter officers and men of NCS Kebbi Area Command, in collaboration with other customs units and agencies of government, from performing our statutory functions in the best interest of Nigerians,” he stated.
