Customs news from Kaduna : * One dies as youths attack Customs operatives on duty

Customs news from Kaduna :

* One dies as youths attack Customs operatives on duty

(Report by Udeme Clement):

The report reaching our platform reveals that one youth lost his life following an attack on Customs operatives on duty.

In the same vein, some Customs officers were injured during the unfortunate incident.

The sad incident took place at Kamba/ Bunza axis, when officers attached to Zone ‘B’ Unit of Customs in Kaduna, fired at youths attempting to seize a gun from an officer, in order to release seized items.

The Public Relations Officer of the Unit, Mr Magaji, made this known in a press statement released to maritime reporters.

He words :
“The youths attacked the officers after they stopped a vehicle conveying foreign parboiled rice allegedly smuggled into the area.

“The armed youths attempted to seize a gun from one of our officers on duty. So, as a result, a shot was fired, which unfortunately hit one of the youths by his left shoulder”.

The PRO pointed out : “The injured youth was immediately rushed to general hospital at Kamba. Also, some officers sustained injuries.

“However,, the injured youth later died while in the hospital”.

He explained that the Customs boss in charge of the Unit, Comptroller Sarkin-Kebbi, offered condolences to the family of the deceased, even as he expressed his sympathy over the loss of life in the sad incident.

That was not all. The Customs boss also warned youths and some members of the public to desist from violent attack against Customs officers carrying out their statutory functions.

According to him, combined efforts of Customs and other security operatives foiled attempt by some youths, who tried to set Customs barracks in Kamba ablaze.

The Customs boss said that officers have a duty to curb smuggling of prohibited items into the country, in the interest of national security.