Customs Officer Killed as Lakurawa Terrorists Attack Checkpoint in Kebbi
A Nigeria Customs Service officer identified as Sadiq has been killed following an attack by suspected Lakurawa terrorists on a Customs checkpoint in the Maje area of Bagudo Local Government Area, Kebbi State, on Saturday night.
Witnesses said the heavily armed attackers stormed the outpost under the cover of darkness, opening fire on officers stationed at the checkpoint. The raid reportedly lasted several minutes, leaving one officer dead before the gunmen fled into the surrounding bush.
Residents described the attack as sudden and intense, forcing nearby villagers to flee for safety. “The terrorists came shooting sporadically. We heard gunfire for several minutes before everything went quiet,” one eyewitness said.
The slain officer, Sadiq, was known among colleagues for his dedication and long service at the Maje border post. His death has sparked grief among fellow officers and concern within the local community, which has faced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent months.
Community leaders and residents have called on the federal government and security agencies to act swiftly, warning that the Lakurawa faction is becoming increasingly powerful and could slip further across Nigeria’s porous northwestern border if not checked.
“The Lakurawa are growing stronger by the day,” a local youth leader said. “We need urgent military action before they consolidate and move freely across the border.”
Although security forces are yet to issue an official statement, a senior security source in Kebbi confirmed that reinforcements had been dispatched to the area, and an investigation is underway to track down the perpetrators.
The Lakurawa, a violent armed group operating across parts of northwestern Nigeria, have been linked to cross-border smuggling, kidnappings, and deadly ambushes targeting security personnel and civilians.
Residents have renewed calls for tighter border surveillance, joint military patrols, and stronger collaboration between local communities and security agencies to prevent further bloodshed.
