The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has sounded the alarm over growing threats posed by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents near the Babanna border in Niger State.
Speaking through Assistant Comptroller General Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu during a working visit to the Niger/Kogi Area Command on Wednesday, Adeniyi described ISWAP’s presence in the region as a major security concern that jeopardizes national stability and impedes customs operations.
According to the CG, customs officers narrowly escaped a deadly ambush after intercepting 500 jerricans of petrol allegedly being smuggled to suspected terrorists.
“ISWAP is now active in the Babanna border area, just as Lakurawa bandits operate in Kebbi and Boko Haram continues to control parts of Borno State,” Ejibunu noted. “These elements are non-Nigerians embedded within our communities, and we urge citizens to promptly report any suspicious movements.”
He added that aerial surveillance systems have been deployed, and emphasized the need for tighter synergy with other security agencies to safeguard the area.
The Area Controller for Niger/Kogi, Pascal Chibuoke, revealed that the seized petrol—valued at N25.9 million in Duty Paid Value—was intercepted along routes including Kabe/Tunga Madugu and Babanna/Guazo.
Chibuoke called for enhanced logistical and communication tools to empower officers operating under increasingly dangerous conditions.
