Suspected Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a customs house and killed a custom officer, Usman Gombe, in Geidam town, Geidam LGA, Yobe State.
The attack occurred at around 10 pm on a Saturday night when the insurgents, arriving in a Volkswagen Golf and a Land Rover, stormed the customs house along the Maine Soroa road, and immediately started opening fire.
According to reports, the assailants attack suddenly, causing the officers scrambled for safety.
“They struck when they were sure the customs officers had retired home. Panicked by the rain of bullets, the officers scampered for safety, some escaped through the gate, while others scaled the fence.
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“Unfortunately, one of the officers, Usman Gombe, was shot dead while attempting to climb the fence,” a security source told our correspondent.
He said the assailants also burnt down the customs patrol van, a generator, and part of the customs house building.
“This is the second time that the Boko Haram insurgents are killing the customs officers. Last month, an officer Babalola, and his junior officer, were abducted and later killed by the insurgents,” he said.
Residents of the town told our correspondent that the activities of Boko Haram insurgents on the outskirts of Geidam had increased in recent days.
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“They collect taxes from farmers and herdsmen a few kilometers from the town and nobody is doing anything.
“Instead, the security operatives have relocated over 17 checkpoints into the town where they also taxed traders that brought goods through the same route. We are in difficult condition in this town,” one of the traders alleged.
