21st CENTURY CHRONICLE: You were recently attacked by officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) where they shot at your official vehicle; what exactly happened?
Gwajo Gwajo: Alhamdulillahi! On September 7, in the afternoon, while I was returning to Katsina from Daura we noticed customs officers stopping us. I was surprised because there was no customs check point there. It’s after Muduru, very close to Katsina. They were coming from Katsina and they started shooting at my vehicle. I told my driver to stop, but they continued shooting at the car. Six bullets hit the car. When our vehicle stopped, I got down, that was when they came out of their vehicle too and started apologising. I was very angry because these people are supposed to be law enforcement agents.
How did they apologise?
It’s funny. When I came down, they all started saying, “Sorry sir, we didn’t know you were the one.” I asked them why they shot even when we stopped. They said they were acting based on intelligence; that one of their informants told them two Hilux vans would be smuggled into Katsina from Daura.
My vehicle is an official one with tinted glasses and an official number plate. How could a smuggled vehicle have an official number plate?
But some witnesses said your driver did not stop when they ordered him to stop?
No; I assure you that it’s a lie. They were coming from the Katsina side while we were from Daura. When they started shooting, I told the driver to park because their vehicle was identifiable. Even when we stopped and they turned back towards us, they continued shooting. So, it’s a lie that my driver didn’t stop.
From my days as the local government chairman of Mai Adua, customs officers and other security agents know that I always cooperate with them. I interacted well with them. These things are out there for everyone to see. I held several positions and had all sorts of security agents in my convoys, but I used to respect all security checkpoints. They even used to commend me for that because I believe we as leaders need to respect our own laws before we expect the masses to do so.
Recently, Governor Aminu Masari lambasted customs officials during the tragedy in Jibia; do you think they are now getting back at him through some of his appointees?
Alhamdulillahi! I don’t want to comment on that. I’m a government official and this thing happened to me, if I say something now people will misquote me and say I’m trying to create something. I thank God that neither me nor my driver was injured.
I think it’s an obvious thing. Masari as the governor is the father to all in the state and he would obey rules and regulations. The Emirs of Katsina and Daura were equally angry with how these people tend to be reckless, especially with what happened in Jibia and the other instances in Mai Kongolom, Mai Adua and Babban Mutum. How could any reasonable person kill somebody because of one bag of rice or one gallon of groundnut oil?
We’re not against closing the borders because we believe when we produce what we eat, the country will be better, but how exactly is it okay for any officer to kill people for smuggling rice; one bag of rice for that matter? What happens to diplomacy? They can arrest such a person and confesticate the smuggled items, but it’s not good to just start shooting at a vehicle because you’re suspecting someone is smuggling some items; it’s not okay.
What was your next line of action after the attack?
Because people were gathering at the scene, I made sure I left the place and went straight to the Commissioner of Police and told him what happened; that they were acting on intelligence. I advised the CP that they must produce the informant. I’ve handed over the case to the appropriate authorities and I should not comment beyond this.
Did they produce the informant?
They said he ran away while they were shooting at the vehicle. Somebody that they said was in Daura, how come was he in their vehicle? The excuse is just funny? What was an informant doing in their vehicle? He is not supposed to be their staff.
What other decision have you taken?
I’ve spoken with their state comptroller and he assured me that things were changing in the command. It’s not all about me; many people have been killed and wounded in like circumstances. The comptroller told me that even on that particular day, the command had a briefing where issues were discussed.
I’m disturbed because these people are trained security agents. If I was attacked by bandits, I would not have much problem because they’re always aiming to kill people, but these guys are law enforcement agents.
Is Katsina State Government taking the case further?
We briefed the CP as I told you, and the customs officers were present. I told him what happened and none of them disagreed with me. The commissioner is handling the case. The customs comptroller led a delegation to visit me and I equally briefed them.
