Suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group have killed two Customs officers at two checkpoints located at Tuga community in Bagudu local government area of Kebbi State.
Reports indicated that the attackers, who disguised as livestock transporters, stormed the area around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, setting fire to a senior officer’s resting area and destroying an official vehicle in the process.
A security source hinted that the gunmen attacked two checkpoints that are very close to each other where they shot one officer, while they burnt the three-star officer alive.
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, while confirming the unfortunate incident on Wednesday, said the officers lost their lives during a counter-offensive operations against the armed group around 3am.
He identified the slain operatives as Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bamigboye and Deputy Superintendent of Customs Dom.
The Customs boss, who spoke about the unfortunate development while delivering a keynote address at the fourth biennial international conference organised by the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, said the attackers reportedly stormed two security checkpoints in the area disguised as livestock merchants.
He described the incident as “deeply painful”, noting that operatives of the Service have continued to play frontline roles in security operations alongside the military.
According to him: “This morning, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service paid the supreme sacrifice while warding off threats from Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi.
“Apart from the Military, the Nigeria Customs Service remains the last shield in several of these border communities.”
Adeniyi, however, assured that the officers’ death would not weaken the resolve of the service in confronting criminal networks operating around Nigeria’s borders.
Adeniyi Backs AI For Efficient Risk Management
Meanwhile, addressing participants on the conference theme, “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” the Customs Chief said the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven risk management tools by the Customs Service had significantly reduced corruption and improved operational efficiency.
However, he said portraying Artificial Intelligence as a replacement for human capacity was misleading, maintaining that human judgment and leadership remain critical in technological deployment.
In his remarks, the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, condoled with the Nigeria Customs Service over the deaths of the officers, describing them as patriots who died in active service to the nation.
The Governor, represented by his Special Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Saad Salahu, used the event to list several digital initiatives introduced by the State government, such as innovation hubs, ICT centres and the KwaraLEARN programme aimed at expanding digital opportunities for young people across the State.
Additionally, Governor AbdulRazaq canvassed the creation of stricter laws and ethical framework to regulate and manage how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is developed and deployed in the public space.
