Customs ‘Kill’ 7, Injure 20 While Chasing Suspected Rice Smuggler In Katsina

No fewer than seven persons were reportedly crushed to death in Katsina State on Monday by the vehicle of Nigeria Customs Service chasing rice smugglers.

Naija News understands that the incident happened in Jibiya Local Government Area of the State earlier today.

According to reports, the vehicle which was chasing the alleged smuggler rammed into a group of people by the roadside, leaving no fewer than twenty people severely injured.

An angry mob in the area resorted to violent protest and eventually battered the customs’ official vehicle before the arrival of security agencies, Naija News learnt.

An eyewitness who narrated the horrible incident said: “They were chasing a J5 vehicle suspected to have smuggled rice. Their vehicle lost control and ran into a group of people standing by the roadside.”

He added: “Six persons died instantly and another one died on the way to the hospital. About 20 other persons were seriously injured.”

“In retaliation, an angry mob from the area burnt the custom vehicle before police could arrive at the scene,” the eyewitness added.

The spokesman of the Katsina Area Command of the Nigerian Customs Service, Danbaba Isah, while confirming the incident, said the investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause of the accident.

Meanwhile, those injured are currently being attended to in a local hospital in the area