Former Customs’ CG,  Mustapha, passes away

Nigeria has lost one of its distinguished public servants as Ahmed Mustapha, a former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has died at the age of 76.

The news of his passing was confirmed on Thursday by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, who paid tribute to Mustapha in a heartfelt post on his official X handle.

Governor Fintiri described the late Customs chief as “a man of service, dignity and duty whose legacy will live on in the heart of the people of Adamawa.”

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu Mustapha, former CG of Customs.

“A man of service, dignity and duty whose legacy will live on. My prayers are with Lamido Adamawa, the Mustapha royal family and all who mourn him. May Allah grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” Fintiri wrote.

Mustapha, elder brother to the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Aliyu Mustapha, also bore the traditional title of Sardauna Adamawa.

He began his career in the Nigeria Customs Service as a cadet officer and steadily rose through the ranks before being appointed Comptroller-General in 1999. His leadership was marked by tougher anti-smuggling campaigns and involvement in national task forces targeting economic sabotage.

In 1988, he received the Ministerial Award for Outstanding Performance in recognition of his service. After more than three decades in uniform, he retired in December 2003.

Until his passing, Mustapha remained a respected figure in the Customs community and a prominent voice within the Adamawa Emirate.