Katsina State Government yesterday claimed that customs service officers were responsible for the harrowing gun assault on the vehicle of Alhaji Jabiru Tsauri, the Chief of Staff of the state.
Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, who disclosed this in a statement, said the Tsauri narrowly escaped the gun shots of the customs officers on Thursday at Gorar Yammama, Malumfashi Local Government Area of the state enroute to Kaduna.
He said: “The Katsina State Government vehemently condemns this reprehensible act and calls for a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served. The safety and security of public officials and citizens remain of utmost importance, and any violation of this fundamental right will not be tolerated.”
The Chief Press Secretary added that the State Governor, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, had directed relevant security agencies to intensify their efforts in uncovering the motives behind this attack and swiftly bringing all culprits to justice.
“The Katsina State Government remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law and fostering an environment where public servants can carry out their duties without fear of reprisals,” he warned.
According to him, “the Katsina State Government expresses its deepest gratitude to the state police authorities for their swift response and decisive action in apprehending the suspects.
“Furthermore, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all well-wishers and supporters who have expressed concern for Mr. Tsauri’s well-being.”
Reflecting on the traumatic incident, Tsauri noted that the customs service officers targeted him as he was departing Katsina State on his way to Kaduna and ultimately Abuja.
According to Tsauri, once his car was finally able to move away from an accident scene leading to a significant traffic congestion, the assailants, armed with firearms, targeted his vehicle, firing shots at the tires and body of the car in an attempt to harm but thanks to the quick thinking and courageous actions of his driver, they managed to speed away to safety in a nearby town.
He shared more of his ordeals: “I was overwhelmed by fear, contemplating the possibility that these assailants intended to cause me harm while I carried out my duties. If not for the bravery and resourcefulness of my driver, the outcome could have been far more dire.”
The governor’s spokesman confirmed that the Army Brigade Commander near where the incident occurred came out and also made concerted efforts, leading to the arrest of one of the assailants who had since been handed over to the police authorities.
He urged the public to remain calm and fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation, saying any information pertaining to this incident or related activities should be promptly shared with the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
Efforts to get the response of either the customs area command in Katsina or the state police command proved abortive as at press time.
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