Politics
Senate probes abuse of firearms by Customs operatives
Senate, on Wednesday, set up an adhoc committee to investigate alleged abuse of firearms and incessant killings of innocent citizens by men of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, set up the committee following consideration of a motion titled: “Urgent need to investigate the abuse of firearms by officers of Nigeria Customs Service in Katsina State” sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC Katsina Central) on the floor of the Red Chamber.
Akpabio appointed a retired Customs Officer, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, (PDP Osun East), as the chairman of the panel while Senators Shuaib Salisu (APC Ogun Central), Kawu Sumaila (NNPP Kano South), Nwoye Tony (LP Anambra North), Sadiq Suleiman (APC Kwara North), Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (APC Katsina Central) and Solomon Adeola (APC Ogun West) would serve as members.
Presenting the motion, Senator Yar’Adua said some officers of the NCS, who should be civil and professional in their engagements and handling of firearms have had a series of shootings of innocent citizens.
He recalled that on August 14, 2021, the former Governor of Katsina State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, threatened to sue the NCS over the killing of residents during border drills in the state.
Senator Yar’Adua said during the same period, the House of Representatives invited the former Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), to appear before it to explain the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident.
He stated further that the recurring killings of innocent people by Customs operatives in Katsina, the House of Representatives on February 3, 2022 ordered the NCS to pay N390 million as compensation to families of 10 victims that were killed and 13 others injured in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to him, on July 13, 2023, the Chief of Staff to the Katsina State governor, Alhaji Jabiru Tsauri had a narrow escape from a harrowing assault from NCS officials.
He specifically submitted that officers of the NCS on the said date, at a location near Gorar Yammama highway shot indiscriminately at the vehicle conveying the Chief of Staff to the governor with other aides and close family members.
Senator Yar’Adua added that in September 2021, personnel of the NCS shot at the convoy of the former Katsina State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Umar Gwajo-Gwajo while driving from Daura to Mia’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
He lamented that officials of the NCS are yet to apprehend or arrest the earring officers or bring them to book for the unfortunate incident.
“Inability to checkmate this recurring abuse of firearms by officers of the NCS , might lead to loss of innocent lives and possibly reprisal attacks by angered civilians”, he warned .
Senators in their contributions supported the motion and approved that the prayers of the motion be adopted when they were put to voice vote by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In his remarks, the Senate President, condemned the alleged indiscriminate shootings and killings of people found in possession of bags of rice by officers of the NCS.
He said: The Senate condemns in totality, the killings of civilians because of carrying one bag of rice. The lives that are lost are too numerous and we cannot allow it to continue. It is a serious issue that the senate looks into it.”
Akpabio urged the Nigeria Customs Service to fish out the erring officers and investigate the incident that led the Customs operatives to open fire on unarmed civilians.
He further implored the Nigeria Customs Service to improve on the training of its personnel in handling of firearms, especially fire discipline when dealing with Nigerian citizens.
The Senate President later gave the committee six weeks to submit its report.
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