Communities around the Nigeria /Niger Republic border in Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa state have decried the unprofessional conduct and nonchalant attitude of Customs officers causing the loss of innocent lives and property in the area.
The outcry followed the recent gas explosion allegedly caused by Customs gunshot which left 10 people injured, several houses, vehicles and other properties burnt in Babura town.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman Babura community organization Alhaji Sani Ibrahim said, the mayhem was caused by unprofessional conduct of the custom and urged Presidency to call them to order.
According to him, the people of the area are living in fear as the Customs officers always fire unnecessary gunshots or chase suspected smugglers in high speed and unprofessional manner which sometimes led to fatal accident and killing innocent people.
He pointed out that, between 2015 to date over 20 people were lost in such incidents including the deliberate extra judicial killing perpetuated by the customs.
A resident of Babura whose house was affected by the gas explosion said that, the Custom officers chased a vehicle suspected to have carried gas cylinders from Niger republic, and open fire to the vehicle in a residential area.
He added that, the gunshot consequently led to the explosion and the unfortunate destruction of properties in Babura Town.
Confirming the incident, the Public relations officer of the state police command, Lawal Shiisu said, Custom border drill number 12 chased a vehicle loaded with gas cylinders from 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 local government area and causes explosion as a result of which 11 people sustained various degrees of injuries, houses and properties were also affected.
USMAN MUHAMMAD ZARIA