A senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), identified as Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) Lawal Tukur, has been found dead under unclear circumstances in a hotel in Katsina metropolis.
The tragic incident occurred on October 15 at Murjani Hotel, where the officer had checked in the previous night. According to sources, hotel staff discovered his lifeless body around 8:30 a.m. and immediately alerted the authorities.
Preliminary findings revealed empty sachets of suspected substances in the room’s waste bin, raising suspicions about the cause of death.
Three women—Khadija Ali (34) of Dutsin Amare Quarters, Katsina; Aisha Lawal (30) of Ingawa Local Government Area; and Hafsat Yusuf (22) of Brigade Quarters, Kano—were said to have been at the hotel during the incident.
Reports indicate that Khadija and Aisha spent the night with the deceased officer, while Hafsat joined them later and also lodged in the hotel.
The officer’s body was conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina, where he was confirmed dead and deposited for autopsy.
The Nigeria Customs Service has been formally notified, while police investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of death.
This incident comes barely weeks after another controversy involving Customs officers in Calabar, where reports of misconduct and internal disciplinary actions sparked public concern over welfare and oversight within the Service.
Observers note that the Katsina tragedy may further deepen questions about internal monitoring, mental health, and off-duty conduct among officers.
While the cause of ASC Tukur’s death remains under investigation, stakeholders are urging the Nigeria Customs Service to strengthen welfare and counseling systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation until official findings are released.
