By Desire Emmanuel
The prompt arrival of some soldiers saved an officer of the Nigerian Customs Service from being lynched to death by an irate mob after he was said to have shot a resident as a result of an altercation between them at a community in Katsina State.
The Inspector of Customs, whose name was given as N. M. Lawal, was rescued from the mob by troops of 17 Brigade deployed at Forward Operating Base, Mashi in Mashi Local Government Area of state following a a distress call regarding the incident on May 21.
According to a source who witnessed the incident, the officer was mobbed by the irate youths at the border area of Birnin Kuka community the local government area.
The youths were said to have alleged that Inspector Lawal shot a resident whose name was given as Sadiku Kaita as a result of altercation between them.
Consequently, after receiving the call, the troops swiftly mobilised to the area and on sighting the soldiers, the mob abandoned the Customs officer and fled in different direction.
However, before the arrival of the soldiers, the car belonging to the personnel was set ablaze by the mob.
The Inspector was quickly rescued and moved out of the scene while the soldiers dominated the general area with patrols to restore law and order.
The source told Impact Nigeria News Online on Sunday afternoon that the soldiers are combing the area in order to apprehend those who masterminded the mob action.
In another cheering development, troops of 17 Brigade deployed at Yantumaki in Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State rescued a female kidnap victim after they were alerted by sound of gunshots in the outskirts of the town in the early hours of May 21.
The troops reportedly mobilised to the scene and were told by the apprehensive locals that terrorists had kidnapped one Mrs Abida Rufai, aged 30 years and fled with her into the bush.
The soldiers promptly trailed the terrorists through their escape route, made contact with them and engaged them in a gun duel, forcing the terrorists to abandon the victim.
She was subsequently rescued, brought back to the community and reunited her with her family.
