Authorities in Katsina State have launched an investigation into the mysterious death of a Nigeria Customs Service officer, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC) Lawal Tukur, who was found dead in a hotel room under circumstances that have raised public concern.
According to reports from Zagazola News, the incident occurred on October 15, 2025, at Murjani Hotel in Katsina metropolis. Hotel staff reportedly discovered Tukur’s lifeless body around 8:30 a.m., prompting them to immediately alert the police and other security agencies.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the officer had checked into the hotel the previous evening and was accompanied by three women, identified as Khadija Ali (34) from Dutsin Amare Quarters, Katsina; Aisha Lawal (30) from Ingawa Local Government Area; and Hafsat Yusuf (22) from Brigade Quarters, Kano State.
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Preliminary findings suggest that Khadija and Aisha spent the night with the officer, while Hafsat reportedly joined them later and also stayed overnight. When hotel staff entered the room the next morning, they found the officer motionless and unresponsive.
Police officers from the Katsina State Command were called to the scene, where empty sachets of unidentified substances were recovered from a wastebasket in the room. The items have been taken for forensic analysis to aid ongoing investigations.
The deceased’s remains were later transported to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Katsina, where medical personnel confirmed his death before transferring the body to the mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause.
Officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have been notified of the incident. A senior customs officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described Tukur’s death as “shocking and deeply saddening,” adding that the service will await the results of the police investigation before making further comments.
Law enforcement sources say the three women have been detained for questioning to assist with the inquiry. Their statements, along with the toxicology results, are expected to provide key insight into what transpired on the night of the incident.
Meanwhile, the story has gained widespread attention on social media,as Nigerians express shock and demand transparency in the investigation.
Security analysts have urged the authorities to ensure a thorough and impartial probe, emphasizing that the findings could shed light on potential cases of substance misuse or foul play linked to hotel-related deaths across the country.
As of press time, the Katsina State Police Command has not released an official statement, but sources confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided once forensic results are concluded.
