KATSINA: Alleged shooting of rice smugglers by customs causes confusion

There was palpable confusion along the Katsina-Daura road when suspected smugglers engaged in a scuffle with men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) which led to blood letting.

According to reports, at least three persons who sustained gunshot wounds are currently nursing injuries following the incident which occurred when Customs officers on duty at the Tuna district of the area barricaded the road and started shooting sporadically.

Eyewitnesses say the Custom officers began shooting sporadically on sighting seven vehicles alleged to be loaded with smuggled rice.

Mohammad Jaafar Tanko, the Controller of the Katsina/Kaduna command of Customs, however denied that his men shot the suspects and attributed whatever injuries sustained to what he described as “confusion” when the suspects, “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 and as soon as they get better, we are prosecuting the matter, to serve as deterrent to others,” he added.

However, unconfirmed reports 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.

Two other suspected smugglers, Aminu and Aliyu, were reportedly shot in the arm and thigh respectively and are being treated at the Katsina General Hospital.

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