Kebbi State customs officers killed in daylight clash with bandits
Two Nigeria Customs Service officers were killed on Wednesday, May 13, after an armed confrontation with a group described by officials as “Lakurawa terrorists” near Bagudu in Kebbi State. The incident occurred in broad daylight when the attackers breached two customs checkpoints in the local government area.
Comptroller‑General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi disclosed the details during the fourth biennial International Conference organized by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Ilorin. He identified the fallen officers as Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bamigboye and Deputy Superintendent of Customs Dom. According to the customs chief, the gunmen invaded the checkpoints as part of a broader pattern of banditry and illegal cross‑border activity that threatens the northern frontier.
Adeniyi said the loss is “deeply painful” and emphasized that customs officers regularly operate on the front lines of security alongside the Nigerian armed forces. “Apart from the military, the Nigeria Customs Service remains the last shield in several of these border communities,” he told the conference attendees. He added that the sacrifice of the two officers will not weaken the service’s resolve to combat criminal networks operating around Nigeria’s borders.
The attack highlights the escalating security challenges facing Nigeria’s north‑western states, where bandit groups, often labeled as terrorists, have intensified raids on villages, farms and state institutions. Customs checkpoints, which monitor the movement of goods and people across porous frontiers, have become frequent targets for armed groups seeking to disrupt revenue collection and facilitate smuggling.
Security officials have urged a coordinated response, calling for increased intelligence sharing between the military, police and customs agencies. The federal government has previously announced plans to bolster border patrols and deploy additional troops to vulnerable areas, but the incident underscores the need for sustained resources and rapid reaction capabilities.
Investigations into the identities and motivations of the assailants are ongoing. Authorities have appealed for witnesses to come forward and for the public to avoid speculation until the probe is complete.
The deaths of Bamigboye and Dom serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by frontline customs personnel. Their sacrifice is expected to reinforce calls for stronger protection of border outposts and a more comprehensive strategy to curb banditry in Nigeria’s northern states.
