Custom Officer Drowns While Chasing Smugglers

A customs officer, Aliyu A.A., attached to the Western Marine Command, Lagos State, has died in a boat mishap while chasing smugglers along Badagry water channel.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Idaho Sulaiman, confirmed the incident revealing that the incident happened around 6:10 pm on Monday while operatives of the command, Akere Surveillance/Monitoring team under Idiroko Outstation, were acting on credible information along Vawhe-Isalu creeks.

Mr Sulaiman said the team, led by Inspector of Customs (IC) Ajayi A.S., had the mishap while trying to intercept a boat suspected to be carrying smuggled items.

“The accident resulted in the death of Assistant Inspector of Customs (AIC) Aliyu AA by drowning. The body of the deceased was found underneath the river with the assistance of villagers around the axis.

The body was taken to General Hospital Badagry and later deposited at the mortuary, having been certified dead by the doctor on call. The corpse was transported by air on-board MAX air airline to Kano on March 23, at the request of the family of the deceased,” he said.