Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Mustapha, the Sardauna of Adamawa, is death. He was the former Custom boss who served as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) between 1999 and 2003.
The news of his death was confirmed by the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, in a statement on Thursday via his social media pages.
“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 who is an elder brother to the Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, also held the revered traditional title of Sardaunan Adamawa.
He joined the Customs Service as a young cadet and rose through the ranks until his appointment as Comptroller-General in 1999, at the dawn of the Fourth Republic.
His tenure was notable for intensified anti-smuggling operations and participation in several national task forces against economic sabotage. In 1988, he was honoured with the Ministerial Award for Outstanding Performance in recognition of his service.
After more than three decades in active duty, Mustapha retired in December 2003. In retirement, he remained a respected elder statesman, both within the Customs community and the Adamawa Emirate, where his counsel was widely sought until his death.