Two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service have been killed during a gun duel with suspected Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi State.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, confirmed the incident on Wednesday while speaking at a conference in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Customs officers killed during counter-operation
According to Adeniyi, the attack happened around 3am during a counter-offensive operation against the armed group.
The slain officers were identified as Assistant Superintendent of Customs Bamigboye and Deputy Superintendent of Customs Dom.
“This morning, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service paid the supreme sacrifice while warding off threats from Lakurawa terrorists in Kebbi,” Adeniyi said.
“Customs remains the last shield”
The customs boss described the incident as painful, noting that Customs officers continue to play active frontline roles in border security operations alongside the military.
“Apart from the military, the Nigeria Customs Service remains the last shield in several of these border communities,” he stated.
Adeniyi disclosed that he had already arrived in Ilorin before receiving reports of the attack.
He, however, assured that the deaths of the officers would not weaken the resolve of the service in confronting criminal groups operating around Nigeria’s borders.
A minute silence was later observed during the conference in honour of the deceased officers.
Adeniyi speaks on Artificial Intelligence and corruption
Speaking on the conference theme, “Disruptive Technology: Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Economy,” Adeniyi said the deployment of AI-driven risk management tools by Customs had helped reduce corruption and improve operational efficiency.
He stressed that Artificial Intelligence should not be viewed as a replacement for human intelligence and leadership.
“Human intelligence is still required to guide Artificial Intelligence and prevent disruption within the economy,” he said.
The Customs CG also challenged Nigerian researchers and technology experts to develop affordable local innovations capable of working effectively in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Kwara governor reacts to officers’ deaths
In his remarks, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq condoled with the Nigeria Customs Service over the deaths of the officers.
Represented by his Special Adviser and Counsellor, Alhaji Saad Salahu, the governor described the slain officers as patriots who died serving the nation.
He also called for stronger legal and ethical frameworks to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria.