Gunmen kill two Customs officers in Kebbi ambush

Two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been killed following a deadly encounter with suspected Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying the officers lost their lives during a counter-offensive operation in the early hours of the day.

The slain personnel were identified as Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bamigboye and Deputy Superintendent of Customs Dom.

According to Adeniyi, the officers were killed around 3am while responding to an attack on security positions in Bagudu Local Government Area of the state.

Reports indicated that armed men invaded two closely located security checkpoints, triggering a gun battle with Customs operatives.

A source familiar with the incident said the attackers struck the positions simultaneously, killing one officer and allegedly burning another during the assault.

Describing the development as tragic, the Customs chief said the personnel paid the “supreme sacrifice” in the line of duty.

“This morning, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service paid the supreme sacrifice while warding off threats from Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi,” Adeniyi said.

He added that Customs operatives continue to play critical frontline roles in border security alongside other security agencies.

Adeniyi, however, assured that the incident would not weaken the resolve of the service to confront criminal networks operating along Nigeria’s borders.

Meanwhile, speaking at a conference at the University of Ilorin, he highlighted the agency’s growing use of artificial intelligence and digital tools to strengthen risk management and reduce corruption.

The Customs boss noted that while technology has improved efficiency, human judgment remains essential in security and administrative operations.

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also commiserated with the Customs Service over the killings, describing the officers as patriots who died in active national service.

Represented by his Special Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Saad Salahu, the governor called for stronger regulatory frameworks to guide the use of artificial intelligence while highlighting the state’s investment in digital innovation and youth development initiatives.

The attack adds to growing security concerns in parts of Kebbi State, where armed groups have continued to target security personnel and border communities.