The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has confirmed the killing of three of its officers in Kebbi State following a deadly ambush by terrorists. Their patrol vehicles were also set ablaze during the attack.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed the tragic incident during a working visit to the Niger/Kogi Area Command. Represented by Assistant Comptroller General Hussein Kehinde Ejibunu, Adeniyi revealed that the attack occurred in the Bashaka area of Kebbi State, where the officers were taken by surprise and overwhelmed by heavily armed militants.
“Three of our officers were recently killed in Bashaka, Kebbi State,” Adeniyi said. “They were taken by surprise as the attackers shelled them, burnt their vehicles, and opened fire on all of them.”
The Customs chief also raised serious concerns about the escalating presence of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) at the Babanna border in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. He described the group’s activities as a grave threat to national security and effective border control.
He noted that Customs operatives narrowly escaped another deadly encounter with ISWAP militants after seizing 500 jerricans of smuggled Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the Babanna area. Intelligence suggests that the smugglers were supplying fuel to terrorist groups and armed bandits.
“It would interest you to know that most of these bandits attacking us get their fuel through smugglers, giving the adversaries the power to move around and attack citizens,” he stated.
Adeniyi stressed the urgent need for enhanced collaboration between the Customs Service and other security agencies, urging operatives to remain vigilant. He also disclosed that aircraft and aerial surveillance equipment have been procured to reinforce border patrol operations.
He warned that terrorist elements—including ISWAP, Boko Haram, and the Lakurawa group—are now operating across border communities in Niger, Kebbi, and Borno states, often blending in with local populations. He appealed to residents to report any suspicious activities to security agencies promptly.
Meanwhile, Pascal Chibuoke, Customs Area Controller for the Niger/Kogi Command, said the intercepted PMS and two drums of fuel were seized at flashpoints along the Babanna border, including Kabe/Tunga Madugu Road and Dekara/Gidan Zana Road. The total duty paid value of the seized fuel and transport vehicle is estimated at N25.9 million.
Chibuoke credited the success to strong inter-agency cooperation and community engagement but called for more logistical support, including patrol vehicles and communication gadgets, to confront the mounting threat in volatile regions.
