Customs officer dies in Bauchi under unclear circumstances

The death of a senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Lumi Elisha Gwamis, has thrown residents of Boi District in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State into mourning.

DAILY POST reports that Gwamis, 44, was the eldest son of a former executive chairman of Bogoro LGA, Hon. Elisha Tula Gwamis.

Reports circulating within the community alleged that the deceased had been battling depression and anxiety before his death, with some residents suggesting he died by suicide.

Speaking during a condolence visit on Monday, the deceased’s father, Hon. Elisha Tula Gwamis, described the incident as shocking and painful.

“My son, Lumi, was healthy and hearty. None of us was aware of what he was about to do. It was later that we heard the bad news. It is very unfortunate, and all of us are full of sorrow,” he said.

Residents and sympathisers across Bogoro LGA have continued to express grief over the incident, describing the officer’s death as unfortunate.

The deceased is scheduled to be buried on Wednesday, June 10, following a funeral service in Boi, Bogoro LGA.

He is survived by his father, Hon. Elisha Tula Gwamis; his mother, Mrs Saratu Elisha Gwamis; and several siblings.

However, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone D, Bauchi, has dismissed reports suggesting that the officer died by suicide.

The public relations officer of the unit, Umar Abdullahi, while speaking with DAILY POST, said the service had not received any information indicating that the deceased took his own life.

“What the father of the deceased told us was that he was sick. He came to the office accompanied by his father to document, having been newly posted to the unit from Tin Can Island Port. He took annual leave, which he was entitled to, and left with his father,” Abdullahi said.

“Then the father called us and told us that the officer had died. So, we cannot say that he killed himself since the father didn’t tell us that. We cannot work with rumours or what people are saying; we work based on what the father told us.

“He hasn’t worked with us here. He just reported and took annual leave. He was recently transferred to Bauchi. When he came and reported, before we posted him, his father told us that he was sick. The officer even said that when he returned, we would allocate an office for him to work. So, what I told you is the only information we have.”

The circumstances surrounding Gwamis’ death remain unclear at the time of filing this report.

Customs officer dies in Bauchi under unclear circumstances