Suspected Boko Haram members attack customs office in Yobe, kill officer

Suspected insurgents of the Boko Haram group have reportedly killed an officer during an attack on a Customs office in Geidam town, Geidam LGA of Yobe state. 

The insurgents, during the attack on Saturday night, also burned down a patrol van, generator, and part of the building.

The assailants were said to have stormed the customs house along Maine Soroa road in a Volkswagen Golf and a Land Rover around 10 pm on Saturday and started shooting.

Officers on duty had scampered for safety, with some escaping through the gate and others scaling the fence. 

However, one officer, Ahmed Usman, an assistant superintendent of Customs II, was shot dead while attempting to climb the fence.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in a statement by Abdullahi Maiwada, public relations officer of the agency, on Sunday, said the timely reinforcement from the Nigerian Army thwarted the attack. 

“During this harrowing encounter, assistant superintendent of customs II,  Ahmed Usman, born on April 2, 1983, and a dedicated NCS member since February 24, 2009, tragically paid the ultimate sacrifice, ” the statement reads. 

“He hailed from Pindiga Town, Akko Local Government Area in Gombe State, leaving behind a grieving wife and five children, three boys and two girls.

“The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, alongside the entire NCS fraternity, extends heartfelt condolences to the family of ASC II Ahmed Usman, the NCS Borno/Yobe area command, and the government of Gombe state for the loss of this heroic and devoted individual in the line of duty.”

Adeniyi also thanked the community for their engagement in the pursuit of safety and security, urging all citizens to contribute to the collective endeavours actively.

In August, two officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) were killed by bandits in Kebbi state.

The bandits were said to have attacked the officers while on a patrol along Dakingari to Koko road.