The sudden death of a senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Lumi Elisha Gwamis, has plunged residents of Boi District in Bogoro local government area of Bauchi State into mourning and shock.
Gwamis, 44-year-old, was the eldest son of a former executive chairman of Bogoro local government area council, 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 committed suicide.
Speaking during a condolence visit on Monday, his father, Hon. Elisha Tula Gwamis, described the incident as shocking and heartbreaking.
He said, “My son, Lumi, was healthy and hearty. None of us was aware of what he was about to do. It was later we heard the bad news. It is very unfortunate and all of us are full of sorrow.”
Residents and sympathisers across Bogoro local government area have continued to express grief over the loss, describing Gwamis as a dedicated public servant whose death came as a shock to many.
He is scheduled to be buried on Wednesday, June 10, after a funeral service in Boi, Bogoro local government area.
Gwamis 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, which confirmed the officer’s death, refuted claims that the officer took his own life.
Speaking with journalists, the Unit’s Public Relations Officer, Umar Abdullahi, 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.
“Later, the father informed us that the officer had died. We cannot conclude that he took his own life because that was not what we were told. We work with verified information, not rumours.”
Abdullahi further explained that the officer had only recently been transferred to Bauchi State and was yet to commence full duties at the unit before proceeding on annual leave due to health concerns.
The exact circumstances surrounding Gwamis’ sudden death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.