We Gave Bandits 7 Bags Of Seized Rice To Save Our Lives - Customs Officer

<blockquote> by Jemilat Nasiru<br><br><b>Aliyu Mohammed, coordinator of the sector 4 command, joint border patrol team of the Nigeria customs service (NCS) in the north-west, says he had to offer seven bags of seized rice to bandits in exchange for freedom. </b><br><br>Addressing journalists in Katsina on Tuesday, Mohammed said the incident occurred in Dutsinma LGA of the state.<br><br>Mohammed was commenting on the challenges encountered by the customs officers in the discharge of their duties.<br><br>Narrating one of his encounters with bandits in a bush in Katsina, he said the gunmen asked for seven out of the 37 bags of rice they seized at the time, if the officers wanted to be released alive.<br><br>He also complained that the operatives do not get enough support from the people.<br><br>According to Mohammed, in one instance, smugglers organised some villagers to hurl stones at the customs officers.<br><br>The challenge we have is that the people we are working for are not supporting us. If we have any problem, just accidental discharge in a village, the whole people will bounce on customs. If you make seizure, instead of the villagers to assist you, they may end up attacking you, Mohammed said.<br> <br><b>I sacrificed my life to enter the bush where the bandits arethe last time we had contact with themto the extent that they were a little bit friendly with us.<br><br>We seized 37 bags of rice and they said if we are to go, they have to take seven bags. So, we gave them seven bags to save our lives.<br><br>So, you see the risks we take, but people, especially those living along the border communities, engage in attacking our officers.</b></blockquote><br><a href="https://www.thecable.ng/extra-we-gave-bandits-7-bags-of-siezed-rice-to-save-our-lives-says-customs-officer">https://www.thecable.ng/extra-we-gave-bandits-7-bags-of-siezed-rice-to-save-our-lives-says-customs-officer</a>
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