Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone B, has announced the tragic death of Inspector of Customs (IC) Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo. The incident occurred on Friday, July 12, 2024, during a stop and search operation at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State when a suspected smuggler’s vehicle struck Inspector Elenwo as the driver attempted to evade arrest.
The injured officer was initially taken to the General Hospital Kazaure before being transferred to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Katsina, where he was pronounced dead by the attending doctor. Inspector Elenwo was laid to rest in Katsina according to Islamic rites.
Born on 15 April 1985 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo joined the Nigeria Customs Service as a Customs Assistant III (CAIII) in the Transport and Logistics Unit on 17 October 2013. He was promoted to the rank of Inspector of Customs in 2022. Inspector Elenwo is survived by his wife and two children.
Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, Head of the Federal Operations Unit Zone B, expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased, offering prayers for his eternal rest on behalf of the entire unit.
Comptroller Shuaibu condemned the incident as a stark reminder of the extreme lengths smugglers go to evade law enforcement, often with no regard for human life. He noted that such tragic events highlight the dangers faced by customs personnel in their line of duty.
Shuaibu vowed that justice would be served, revealing that one suspect has been detained and is currently in the custody of the Nigeria Police Force, Gwiwa Division in Jigawa State.
Despite this tragic incident, Comptroller Shuaibu affirmed that the unit’s operatives would continue their unwavering fight against smuggling, undeterred by the risks involved.