Muhammad Garba
Jigawa communities around Nigeria/Niger republic broader in the Babura Local Government Area of the state have decried the unprofessional conduct and nonchalant attitudes of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers causing the destruction of innocent lives and properties in the area.
The community outcry followed the recent gas explosion allegedly caused by a Custom gunshot which left 10 injured and burnt many houses, vehicles, and other properties in Babura town.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of Babura Community Organization, Alhaji Sani Ibrahim said the mayhem caused by the unprofessional conduct of the custom is very nefariously and urged President Muhammad Buhari to call them to order.
He narrated that the people of the area are living in horror and fear as always Customs Officers release unnecessary gunshots or chase suspected smugglers at high speed and unprofessional manner which sometimes leads to fatal accidents and the killing of innocent people.
“It is in the record and you can access this record from Jigawa police command that, between 2015 to date over 20 people were lost in such incidents including the deliberate extra-judicial killing perpetuated by the custom” Sani alleged.
One of the Babura residents whose house was affected by the gas explosion narrated that, the Customs officers chased a vehicle suspected to have carried gas cylinders from the Niger republic, and open fire on the vehicle in a residential area, which consequently led to the explosion and the unfortunate destruction.
Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Lawal Shiisu said Custom border drill number 12 pursued one IVECO vehicle loaded with gas cylinders from the Niger Republic heading to Gumel Local Government area of the state.
He said one of the gas cylinders spilled and caught fire, in the street of Babura’s local government area and the explosion begins as a result of which 11 people sustained various degrees of injuries, houses and properties were also affected.
