The Nigeria Customs Service has refuted any involvement in the tragic death of a teenager at the Jibia Border Area of Katsina State on Saturday, as disclosed by Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, in a statement issued on Monday.
While extending heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, Maiwada emphasized that the service had no role in the unfortunate incident. According to residents, the teenager was killed when a driver of a commercial vehicle, apparently panicked upon spotting customs officers and inadvertently collided with passersby near Tundun Wada Primary School in Jibia.
Although some residents attributed the accident to the presence of customs operatives in the area, Maiwada clarified that no customs officer drove the vehicle involved in the incident on the stated date. He stressed that the Federal Operations Unit Zone B, headquartered in Kaduna, which covers Katsina among other states, had no record of intercepting or driving the said vehicle. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was transporting soya beans, and the driver is currently in police custody pending further inquiry.
In his statement, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reiterated the agency’s commitment to fostering peaceful community relations and conducting anti-smuggling operations without harm to civilians. He urged the public to adhere to government directives and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to uphold peace and security in the country.
Amid the sorrow and loss, Adeniyi appealed for calmness from all stakeholders and expressed gratitude for the ongoing cooperation extended by border communities in addressing challenges and promoting safety and prosperity for all.
