While the officials are saddled with the responsibility of protecting the borders from infiltration of contraband goods, arms and illicit drugs, smugglers device various methods of going against the law.
Apart from killing the alleged smugglers, Customs officials and innocent citizens are also losing their lives during altercations at border communities.
Besides gun battles with the smugglers, findings by Daily Trust Saturday showed that excessive speeding by the security agents while going after the suspected smugglers contribute to the casualties being recorded.
Sources said that in 2020, at least two Customs officers were either killed or injured every month, while innocent citizens were hit by stray bullets.
Our correspondent gathered that trouble started when the joint team of the customs officers from the Federal Operating Unit (FOU), Ikeja, Lagos; the border drill and the patrol, stormed a hideout where imported rice was stockpiled.
The clash climaxed after a boy was reportedly killed by stray bullets allegedly fired by the customs officers.
The residents of the area were said to have been infuriated by the killing of the boy, who they said was playing football at a primary school when he was hit by the bullet.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Ogun 1 Area Command of the NCS, Hammed Oloyede confirmed the incident, describing it as unfortunate.