Smugglers Kill Customs Officer in Kwara State
By Joy Mmereole Okoli
Suspected smugglers have attacked and killed a Customs officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs (ASC1) Saheed Aweda and injured three others over sized items along Sinau-Kenu road in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The incident which occurred on Friday following the seizure of 40 bags of foreign parboiled rice of 50kg and 30 jerry Cans of premium motor spirit.
In a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State command, Chado Zakari to journalists on Monday said the operatives attached to the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), sector 3, were on information anti-smuggling patrol when the hoodlums attacked them last Friday.
Chado said the patrol team had intercepted 40 bags of foreign parboiled rice 50kg each and 30 jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS) 25 each litres, abandoned on the bush paths, along Sinau-Kenu road.
“The operatives immediately swung to action and evacuated the seized items into their operational vehicles for onward delivery to Government Warehouse for safe keeping in line with rules of engagement, while on transit; a group of hoodlums laid ambush and pelted our personnel with guns, stones, bottles, cutlasses, sticks, charms and other dangerous items.
“Hoodlums laid ambush and shot sporadically at officers. In the fiery exchange that ensued, one of our officers succumbed to the cold hands of death, while three officers sustained life threatening injuries and are currently responding to treatment in the hospital,” he said.
Chado said the deceased has been buried according to Islamic law in his home town, Popogbona in Ilorin West Local Government of Kwara State.
He said the Coordinator of the JBPT, Comptroller Olugboyega Peters, representatives of DSS, NPF, ONSA, NIA, Immigration and other security agencies have visited the family of the deceased to commiserate with the family.
“Our prayers go out to the family of the deceased officer whose sacrifice is deeply appreciated and held in high esteem. To those wounded, the Sector promises to stand by them on their journey to recovery and full restoration of health.
“The sector wishes to commend the patriotic roles of our sister agencies and law abiding citizens in assisting the sector to perform its lawful duty of implementing partial closure of our land borders in the interest of our dear country.
“The intervention of Reinforcements from JBPT Headquarters Team, JBPT Ilesha Baruba, Kwara Command, Customs Police and 224 Recce Battalion of the Nigeria Army where immediately dispatched and have since restored normalcy while the contraband items were moved to JBPT Headquarters, Ilorin for safe keeping. “Compt. Olugboyega Peters has ordered a full-scale investigation to fish out those criminals who perpetuated this barbaric, cruel and inhuman aggression.
“This trend of unprovoked attacks by faceless cowards whose intention is to instill fear in the minds of law enforcement operatives shall not go unpunished. Neither will it dampen the resolve of officers and men from carrying out their statutory functions.
“We wish to categorically state that we will continue to prosecute the anti-smuggling crusade in spite of the unwarranted attacks.
"The sector wants to use this medium to advice parents/guardians to warn their wards to desist from obstructing our operatives from performing their legitimate duties as the Sector will not hesitate to use appropriate force in line with rules of engagement and will leave the Officers with no other alternative than to defend themselves in the interest of the nation,” he stated.
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