Customs Officer Drowns While Chasing Smugglers On Badagry Waterways

An officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, Aliyu A.A, an Assistant Inspector of Customs, has died while on duty chasing smugglers on Badagry waterways.

In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Isah Sulaimon, the unfortunate incident occurred on Monday this week.

The deceased officer was part of the Akere Surveillance/ Monitoring team under Idiroko Outstation led by Inspector of Customs (IC) Ajayi AS with official patrol boat registration number CPM 191 acting on credible information along Vawhe-Isalu creeks

At about 6.10 pm, they had a boat mishap while trying to intercept a boat suspected to be carrying smuggled items.

“The body of the deceased was found underneath the river with the assistance of villagers around the axis”

“Subsequently, the deceased was taken to General Hospital Badagry and later deposited at the mortuary having certified death by the doctor on call”

“The corpse was transported by air on-board MAX air airline to Kano yesterday 23 March 2021 on the request of the family of the deceased”

“AIC Aliyu AA hailed from Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State. He was born on the 10 July 1987. He joined the Nigeria Customs Service on the 17 October 2013 as Customs Assistant II (CAII) and got promoted to the rank of AIC on January 1st, 2019”

“Aliyu died on the 22 March 2021 while on active service and he will be buried today 24th March, 2021 in his hometown Funtua Area of Katsina state by 1pm according to Islamic rites”

“At this trying times, the Customs Area Controller on behalf of the Officers/Men of the WMC commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed for God to grant the deceased eternal rest”