TheCable

Five persons were confirmed dead in Katsina, on Monday, after a patrol vehicle belonging to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), reportedly lost control and crashed in Jibia LGA of the state.

Dalha Wada-Chedi, acting controller of NCS in the state, confirmed the incident to NAN in Katsina.

Although there are conflicting details of the incident, with some unconfirmed reports claiming that the customs officers were after a suspected smuggler, the NCS insists that it was an accident.

The patrol vehicle was also reportedly set ablaze.

Speaking on the incident, Wada-Chedi said the incident occurred when some operatives of the border drill went to Jibia to get food, “but unfortunately lost control and crushed some people to death”.

“It is really unfortunate. We had to use our cordial relationship with the communities, the police, military and other sister security organisations to bring the situation under control,” the Katsina NCS spokesman said.

“From the report we received so far, five people died and others are receiving treatment in the hospital.

“Those of our men involved are currently with the police and investigation is already ongoing to unravel the circumstances behind the incident.”