Student Shot Dead As Rice Smugglers, JBPT Clash In Badagry

An SS3 student was killed on Saturday in Irosu village, Badagry, amid a conflict between security officers from the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) and suspected rice traffickers.

Following a tip-off, the JBPT was on routine patrol at Irosu community at Sawa checkpoint near Owode-Apa border post in search of smuggled foreign rice.

However, other enraged teenagers challenged the operators, vowing that no security agent should be allowed to enter their area to carry out the operation.

Customs react, confirms clash between smugglers, officers in Iseyin

“However, in the ensuing fracas, the operatives started shooting into the air.

“In the process, one Alade Oba, an SSS3 student of Kankon Secondary School, was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.

This resulted in a serious protest by the youths who mobilized and burn tyres, demanding the release of Oba’s corpse,” a source at the scene told NAN.

When Contacted, Mr Abdullahi Hussiain, the Public Relations Officer, Seme Customs Area Command, confirmed the incident.

Hussain told NAN that the security operatives were attacked by rice smugglers who were using bush paths in the Irosu community.

He said JPBT blocked the bush paths and arrested some motorcycles being used for smuggling rice.

He also said the smugglers mobilised about 150 people to attack and throw stones and other weapons at the officials of JBPT.

“It was when they attempted to burn one of the Hilux buses by the team that the officials were forced to shoot into the air to scare them away.

“During the shooting, a stray bullet hit one of the ring leaders,” he added

He explained that allegations that the guy was coming from the farm were a lie, noting that he was among the smugglers.

He also said the smugglers mobilised about 150 people to attack and throw stones and other weapons at the officials of JBPT.

“It was when they attempted to burn one of the Hilux buses by the team that the officials were forced to shoot into the air to scare them away.

“During the shooting, a stray bullet hit one of the ring leaders,” he added

He explained that allegations that the guy was coming from the farm were a lie, noting that he was among the smugglers.