Men of the Nigeria Customs Service have dealt seriously with people suspected to be rice smugglers in Katsina.
Men of the Nigeria Customs Service
At least three persons are currently nursing gunshot wounds
following a scuffle with men of the Nigerian Customs yesterday along the
Katsina-Daura road, The Sun News reports.
Eyewitness accounts said that the incident took place at about 6.30
am, on Thursday, as Customs officers on duty at the Tuna district of
the area, barricaded the road and allegedly started shooting
sporadically on sighting seven vehicles suspected to be loaded with
smuggled rice.
Unconfirmed report said one of the suspected smugglers was killed
on the spot while another identified as Rabe was shot in the stomach and
his intestines ripped open. As at the time of this report, Rabe was
being treated at the K-Dara private hospital in Katsina.
Reports said that two other suspected smugglers, Aminu and Aliyu,
were shot on the arm and thigh, respectively, and were treated at the
Katsina General Hospital.
But when contacted, the Controller of the Katsina/Kaduna command of
Customs, Mohammad Jaafar Tanko, denied that his men shot the suspects.
He attributed injuries sustained by the victims to “confusion”, saying that they “started hitting themselves as they tried to run.”
“But we were able to apprehend all the seven vehicles loaded with smuggled rice.
“The matter has been reported to the police and the injured
have been taken to hospital and receiving treatment. As soon as they get
better we are prosecuting the matter, to serve as deterrent to others,” Tanko said.
He reaffirmed the determination of the Customs to zero-in on smuggling of rice and other items not allowed by government.
When contacted to shed more light on the incident, spokesman for
the state’s police Command, DSP Gambo Isah, said inquiries on the matter
should be directed at the Customs.
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