The assailants, operating under the cover of darkness, stormed the customs house located along the Maine Soroa road at approximately 10 p.m. Witnesses reported that the attackers arrived at the scene in a Volkswagen Golf and a Land Rover, indiscriminately firing their weapons.
According to a security source who spoke with Daily Trust, the terrorists timed their attack when they believed the customs officers had retired for the night. In the chaos that ensued, customs officers attempted to flee to safety, with some escaping through the gate and others scaling the fence. Unfortunately, one officer, Usman Gombe, was fatally shot while trying to climb the fence.
The attackers also set fire to the customs patrol van, a generator, and a portion of the customs house building. Notably, this was the second incident where Boko Haram insurgents targeted customs officers in the region. The previous month, an officer named Babalola and his junior officer were abducted and later killed by the insurgents.
Residents of the town expressed concerns about the increasing activities of Boko Haram insurgents in the outskirts of Geidam. They reported that the insurgents were collecting taxes from farmers and herdsmen just a few kilometers from the town. Additionally, they raised concerns about the relocation of over 17 security checkpoints into the town, where traders bringing goods through the same route were also being taxed. This situation has created difficulties for the residents of the town.
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