Five Feared Killed As Customs Officials Chase Rice Smugglers In Katsina

A Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) patrol vehicle on Monday lost control and killed five persons in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA), Katsina State.

Dalha Wada-Chedi, the acting Controller of NCS in the state, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina.

According to him, the incident occurred when some operatives of the Border Drill went to Jibia to get food; “but unfortunately lost control and crushed some people to death.

“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,” he said. (NAN)

A trader, Kabir Jibia, who witnessed the accident, said it occurred around 8 a.m.

“The owner of the J5 Peugeot is among those buying maize from Dandume town and bringing it here (Jibia) for sale. They normally give money to the Customs officers though what they are doing is not smuggling.

“But this J5 driver refused to stop at one checkpoint immediately after Batsari on your way to Jibia.

“They followed him from their checkpoint into the town and it was while they were chasing him that the vehicle ran into bystanders.”

Mr Jibia, who also said he witnessed the accident, said: “The J5 driver knows the town very well and had already run away from the customs officers.”

Mr Danye, on his part, said the customs officers took to their heels as soon as they jumped out of the vehicle involved in the accident.

“People were initially trying to save those who were crushed. But after they (customs officers) ran away, a group of youth set their vehicle ablaze.”

However, the Public Relations Officer of the Service in Katsina State, Danbaba Isa, disputed the account that the officers were pursuing a vehicle.

“What we know is that it was an accident that can occur to anyone. The accident occured this morning after some of our officers finished eating and were returning to their checkpoint when their vehicle developed brake fault and it resulted in the accident.”

Mr Isa called on members of the public to desist from spreading unconfirmed stories.