A Nigeria Customs Service officer was shot and killed on Monday at the Fingila checkpoint in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Eyewitnesses said the assailants, about seven in number and armed with sophisticated weapons, first invaded nearby farms, harassing farmers and seizing food items.
Residents recounted that the gunmen forced farmers to taste their own meals before taking the rest and ordered them to abandon farming for the day. Malam Abdulrasheed, a local, said, “They told the farmers there would be no farming that day and asked them to leave.”
The attackers later moved toward the main road, where they encountered the customs officer near a mosque. According to witnesses, the officer tried to escape into a maize field after the first shot missed, but he was struck by two additional bullets, one of which was fatal.
Two colleagues of the slain officer, who were hiding in the maize field, reportedly escaped with minor injuries after crawling through the crops. Locals confirmed that the officer was originally from Maiduguri, Borno State, and often sat near the mosque.
As of Tuesday, the Nigeria Customs Service in Kebbi State had not released an official statement regarding the incident. Authorities are yet to confirm any arrests or further details of the attack.
