A Customs officer has been killed following an attack by armed bandits on a checkpoint along the Luma–Babana Road in Niger State.
The incident occurred on Saturday when operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reportedly intercepted suspected informants and food suppliers believed to be working for bandit groups.
The suspects were said to be transporting jerry cans of fuel on motorcycles through Luma Audu Fari-Kuka village when the confrontation began.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the bandits later launched a reprisal attack on the Customs checkpoint, opening fire on the officers.
One of them, identified as Suleiman, a camp assistant from New Bussa, was fatally shot during the assault.
His remains have been deposited at the General Hospital in New Bussa for autopsy.
Security operatives have since intensified efforts to track down the attackers, while normalcy has reportedly been restored to the affected area.