Suspected smugglers opened fire on members of the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) of the Nigeria Customs Service, killing one of them, known as Saheed Aweda, and injuring three others.
The operatives were allegedly ambushed by the terrorists when they were on patrol in Kwara State’s Baruten Local Government Area.
The remaining officers, who allegedly suffered injuries that may have been fatal, are currently recovering at an unidentified hospital.
The incident was confirmed by the JBPT, Kwara Command spokeswoman, Chado Zakari, who described the interaction between the officers and smugglers as a “fiery exchange.”
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“The hoodlums lay ambush and fired sporadically,” he claimed. Three additional cops suffered life-threatening injuries but are currently being treated at the hospital after the ensuing ferocious exchange that left one of our officers dead.
Chado described what happened, claiming that the JBPT, while on patrol, discovered thirty 25-liter jerry cans of premium motor spirit (PMS) and forty sacks of 50kg imported parboiled rice left along a bush path on the Sinau-Kenu road in Baruten.
He continued, “A bunch of hoodlums prepared an ambush while we were in transit after the seized things had been evacuated into our operative cars for further delivery to the warehouse.”
“They randomly fired at our policemen, macheted others, and attacked our staff with stones, bottles, sticks decorated with charms, and other potentially deadly objects.”
He claimed that a thorough investigation into the situation has been ordered by JBPT coordinator Compt. Olugboyega Peters.
He stated that “the sector will not hesitate to use adequate force in accordance with the rules of engagement and will leave the officers with no choice but to defend themselves in the interest of the country.”
