An officer of the Nigerian Customs Service has been shot dead on Friday in Igboho by suspected smugglers during patrol on Sinau-Kenu Road in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara.
Customs spokesperson in Kwara, Mr Chado Zakari, said in a statement in Ilorin on Monday that the patrol team had earlier impounded 40 bags of smuggled rice and 30 jerry cans of petrol hidden in a nearby bush alongside Sinau-Kenu Road.
“The suspected smugglers laid ambush and shot sporadically at the patrol van conveying the smuggled goods to government’s warehouse.
He said both the Customs team and the smugglers engaged in gun battle leading to the death of one officer , while three officers sustained life threatening injuries and are currently responding to treatment.
“The deceased, an assistant superintendent, Mr Saheed Aweda has been buried according to Islamic rights in his home town, Popogbona in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara.
“The Comptroller, Mr Olugboyega Peters, has visited the family of the deceased to commiserate with its members,’’ Zakari said.
