By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Operatives of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT), an anti smuggling task force in the North Central states of the country, have been attacked in an ambush by a group of hoodlums in the Baruteen local government area of Kwara state.
One officer was reportedly killed in the attack, while three officers were also said to have sustained life-threatening injuries.
It was gathered that the incident happened last Friday while the operatives were on a routine anti smuggling patrol along Sinau-Kenu road in the Baruteen local government area.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara state Command of Sector 3 of the JBPT, Chado Zakari, in Ilorin on Monday, the hoodlums, who had laid ambush for the operatives, pelted the personnel with gunshots, stones, bottles, cutlasses, sticks, charms and other dangerous items.
“Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Sector 3 operatives on
information patrol along Sinau-Kenu road in Baruteen LGA of Kwara State intercepted 40 bags of foreign parboiled rice 50kg
each and 30 jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS) 25
litres each abandoned by the bush paths along 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 our personnel with gunshots, 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.
“The deceased ASCI Saheed Aweda has been buried according to Islamic right 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.
“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 Customs Command, Police and
224 Recce Battalion of the Nigeria Army were immediately
dispatched and have since restored normalcy while the contraband
items were moved to JBPT Headquarters, Ilorin for safe keeping.
“The Coordinator Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) Comptroller Olugboyega Peters has ordered a full scale investigation to fish out
those criminals who perpetrated 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 advise 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.”