Two officials of the Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service have been killed by suspected bandits in the State.
Acting Public Relations Officer of the command, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II
Mubarak Mustapha, in a statement said the incident occurred on Thursday around 1:28pm as a team conducted a stop-and-search operation along Bunza – Dakingari – Koko Road.
He said the command has launched a manhunt to arrest and prosecute the suspects.
The statement reads, “On Thursday, 24th August 2023, at about 0128hrs, a team of Kebbi Area Command officers and men of the Nigeria Customs, while on a stop-and-search operation based on credible information along Bunza – Dakingari – Koko Road, were engaged with heavy gunfire by suspected bandits in an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle.
“In the melee that ensued, two personnel of the Command, named Alhaji Kabiru Shehu, an Inspector of Customs and Abdullahi Muhammad, a Customs Assistant II, paid the supreme price. The officers have since been laid to rest according to Islamic rites.
“While praying for the repose of the deceased, the Command has launched a manhunt for the suspects with the view to arrest and prosecute them.
“The Customs Area Area Controller, Comptroller Ben Oramalugo, commiserates with the families on the tragic incident and prayed that God Almighty grants them the fortitude to bear the loss.
“The CAC also urge members of the public to volunteer information about the movement of suspected smugglers and other criminals. He assured such informants of strict confidentiality.”
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