The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), retired Col. Hameed Ali, has confirmed the passing of one of his officers, Comptroller Anthony Ayalogu.
Ali, in a statement by a Superintendent of Customs, Mr Abdullahi Maiwada on Tuesday in Abuja, said Ayalogu until his death was in charge of the Trade Facilitation Unit of the Service.
He said the deceased, who passed on at 57, suddenly took ill and lost consciousness upon arrival at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport while on transit on an official assignment.
The comptroller-general said efforts to resuscitate him failed as he was later pronounced dead at 465 Nigerian Airforce Hospital Kano.
The Customs boss described the late officer as “a true champion and will be sorely missed. ”
“We pray God grants the Ayalogu family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
He also commiserated with the entire officers and men of the service, as well as friends of the deceased.
Ayalogu hailed from Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State and held a Bachelor’s Degree in Botany from the University of Port Harcourt.
He was enlisted into the Nigeria Customs Service on September 24, 1991 as Cadet Assistant Superintendent.
Ayalogu took over as Comptroller, Trade Facilitation on January 31 and was until his death a fellow at the World Customs Organisation (WCO).
He had served at the System Audit Unit under the Tariff and Trade Department before moving to the trade and facilitation department.
He is survived by a wife and children.
