The Nigeria Customs Service while mourning the killing of its anti-smuggling operatives, who were gunned down by suspected armed robbers at Dogon Hawa, Katsina State, has promised to reward the officers posthumously.
The decision was taken at a recent management meeting of the officers following the killings that plunged the service into mourning.
Chief Superintendent of Customs, Maidama Yabo, and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I, Babandi Nuraddeen Shaba, were killed in Katsina, recently.
Meanwhile, the Controller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, has declared that the service officers shall apply appropriate force to defend themselves while serving the country.
In a statement by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Joseph Attah, Ali prayed for the eternal rest of the fallen officers, whom he described as gallant in their days of service and fighting smuggling.
“While investigation is ongoing to ascertain the motive behind the killing and carting away of one (1) AK 47 riffle with its magazine loaded with ammunition, helmet, bullet proof vest and service shoes, NCS Management during its 13th regular meeting for the year held at its Headquarters on Wednesday August 2, 2017, expressed deep sense of sorrow over the loss of two (2) officers known for their dedication to the course of fighting smugglers.
“Ali bemoaned the fallen colleagues, prayed the Almighty Allah to grant them eternal rest.”
While condoling the families of the deceased officers, Ali expressed the resolve of the service to bring the killers to justice.
NCS management has decried the inclination of smugglers and other criminals, who are quick to inflict violence on anti-smuggling operatives who are carrying out their statutory functions.
It also warned that henceforth, anti-smuggling operatives would not hesitate to use appropriate force to defend themselves while enforcing the extant laws governing Imports and Exports in Nigeria.
