Business

Customs killing of 10: Buhari’s state govt threatens Court action

President Buhari and Gov. Masari

… Reckless govt agencies kill citizens with impunity – Gov Masari

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Katsina State, the home State of President Muhammadu Buhari has threatened to take legal action against the Nigerian Customs Service(NCS) over her complicity in the death of 10 indigenes of the state.

The Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari who meted out the threat said that will serve as a deterrent to others.

The governor said such incident has assumed a frightening proportion in the state.

In a statement released on behalf of Governor Masari by his Director-General, Media, Abdu Labaran, stated that the government will henceforth not condone any more of such incident.

The death of the indigenes occurred after a Hilux van of the Nigeria Customs Service rammed into people by a roadside in Jibia town of Katsina State last Monday.

Jibia is on the border town between Nigerian and Niger Republic and many of its residents engage in cross-border trades.

Sources in the town had reported how the accident occurred while some Customs Officers were pursuing a J5 Peugeot bus they suspected was involved in rice smuggling.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and ran into people standing by the roadside.

Extending his condolences to the families of the deceased and those who sustained injuries, Gov Masari warned that the government will not fold its arms, while law-abiding citizens are killed with impunity, by the reckless government agents, who are expected to protect them.

The Comptroller-General of Customs Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd) and the entire staff of Nigeria Customs Service had expressed sadness by the unfortunate operation accident that resulted in the death of fellow Nigerians and injuries to others.

According to a statement signed by DC, Joseph Attah, Public Relations Officer of customs said “As a responsible Government Agency, we are mindful of the duty of care imposed upon us to ensure the safety of our citizens. Unfortunately, our efficiency is sometimes undermined by unanticipated failures in our equipment as in this case which was caused by break failure resulting in the death of Eight fellow Nigerians and injuries to others at the border town of Jibiya, Katsina State.

“Nigeria Customs Service shares in the pains of losing these compatriots and extends heartfelt condolences to the immediate families of the deceased, Government and the people of Katsina State. The Service is doing all it takes to get the best treatment possible for the injured and will do what it can to ameliorate the pains of those who lost their loved ones.

“Even though, human actions cannot always keep society accident free, the CGC has already directed holistic investigation into the incident with a view to preventing a reoccurrence of this unfortunate accident in the future.

“NCS therefore calls on all well-meaning Nigerians to show understanding of the situation and offer words or actions that can help heal those in pains. As a Service, our hearts and prayers go to the families of the bereaved and those in hospitals”,he stated.