By Chinonye Anyatonwu
The picture of one of the shot officers
The Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector 3 operatives on information patrol along Sinau-Kenu road in Baruten LGA of Kwara State intercepted forty (40) bags of foreign parboiled rice 50kg each and Thirty (30) jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS) 25 each litres abandoned the bush paths, Sinau-Kenu Road.
The operatives immediately swung into 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 their personnel with bullets, stones, bottles and charged them with cutlasses, sticks, including the use of charms and other dangerous items.
In the incidence carried out by the hoodlums who shot sporadically at officers and the fiery exchange that ensued, one of our officers succumbed to the cold hands of death, while three (3) officers sustained life threatening injuries and are currently responding to treatment in the hospital.
According to a release signed by the image maker of the command, Chado Zakari, said that the deceased, ASCI Saheed Aweda has been buried according to Islamic rite in his home town, Popogbona in Ilorin West Local Government of Kwara State.
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.
The Coordinator of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Compt.Olugboyega Peters has ordered a full scale investigation to fish out those criminals who perpetuated this barbaric, cruel and inhuman aggression.
The Joint Border Patrol Team wishes to categorically state that they will continue to prosecute the anti-smuggling crusade in spite of the unwarranted attacks. The sector advices parents/guardians to warn their wards to desist from obstructing their 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.
