The death of a Nigeria Customs Service officer, Lumi Elisha Gwamis, 44, has plunged residents of Boi District in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State into grief, amid conflicting accounts over the circumstances surrounding his passing.
Gwamis, the eldest son of a former Chairman of Bogoro LGA, Elisha Tula Gwamis, was reported to have died under unclear circumstances, with some accounts in the community alleging suicide after claims he had been battling depression and anxiety. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
During a condolence visit on Monday, the bereaved father described his son’s death as shocking and deeply painful, insisting there had been no warning signs.
“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.
The incident has continued to generate mourning across Bogoro LGA, where residents and sympathisers described the officer’s death as a tragic loss.
Gwamis is expected to be buried tomorrow, Wednesday, 10 June, following a funeral service in Boi. He is survived by his parents, Saratu Elisha Gwamis and Elisha Tula Gwamis, as well as siblings.
Amid growing speculation, the Nigeria Customs Service has moved to dismiss reports suggesting that the officer died by suicide.
The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone D in Bauchi said it had no official confirmation supporting such claims.
Speaking on behalf of the unit, Public Relations Officer Umar Abdullahi said the Service was relying strictly on information provided by the family.
“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,” he said.
Abdullahi added that the Service only learned of Gwamis’ death through the family.
“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 further clarified that the officer had only recently been posted to Bauchi and had not yet resumed full duties at the unit before proceeding on leave.