Suspected Lakurawa terrorists have killed two Nigeria Customs Service officers in Kebbi State. Reports say one of the officers was burned alive during the attack on a checkpoint in the Tugar community.
The attack happened in the early hours of Tuesday. Armed men arrived at the customs checkpoint and opened fire on the officers on duty. Security forces who responded to the scene found the bodies of the two officers. Reports suggest the attackers fled into the surrounding forest after the assault.
Kebbi State remains one of the areas most affected by the activities of the Lakurawa group. The group, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government, operates primarily in Sokoto and Kebbi states. It has been linked to the Islamic State Sahel Province.
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The Nigeria Customs Service confirmed the deaths of its officers and called on security forces to intensify operations in the region. “We mourn the loss of our colleagues who gave their lives in the line of duty. We demand justice and stronger protection for our personnel,” said a customs service spokesperson.
This latest attack is part of a pattern of violence against security personnel and civilians in northwest Nigeria. In February 2026, suspected Lakurawa militants killed more than 160 civilians in two villages in Kwara State after residents refused to comply with their demands.
The Nigerian Army and Air Force have conducted several operations against the group in recent months. In December 2025, the United States military, with authorization from President Tinubu, launched airstrikes against Lakurawa camps in Sokoto State.
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Despite these military actions, security analysts warn that the group continues to pose a serious threat. Experts say the group has expanded its network by forging ties with Boko Haram and other armed groups in the Lake Chad basin.
Residents of communities near the attack site said they live in constant fear. Many have asked the government to deploy more security forces to the area and to provide early warning systems for communities under threat.
The federal government has not yet made a formal statement on the Kebbi attack as of Thursday evening. Security forces say operations to track and apprehend the attackers are ongoing.
