TheCable

Alade Oba, a student of Kankon Secondary School, Badagry, was reportedly killed on Saturday, during a search for rice smugglers in Irosu community in Lagos state.

Another person was also said to have sustained injury after a stray bullet hit him on the leg.

Oba was said to have been hit by a stray bullet during the operation which involved a joint border patrol team (JBPT).

According to NAN, the security operatives were on a routine patrol at Irosu community in search of smuggled rice after a tip-off.

They were, however, reportedly confronted by youths in the community who resisted the search.

“In the ensuing fracas, the operatives started shooting into the air. In the process, one Alade Oba, an SSS 3 student of Kankon Secondary School, was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot,” NAN quoted a witness to have said.

“This resulted into serious protest by the youths who mobilised and burnt tyres, demanding the release of Oba’s corpse”.

Nicholas Rume, commanding officer of 243 Recce Battalion, Ibereko, Badagry, reportedly mobilised officers to forestall further loss of lives and property in the area, while the corpse was released to the parents.

David Aladeotan, chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Badagry West, said the security operatives persisted in the search, despite being told that no smugglers were in the area.

“Despite the fact that elders and leaders of the community assured them that there was no smuggled rice in the village, they continued searching, but they did not get anything,” Aladeotan said.

“So, they deliberately picked some motorcycles parked by some people. This resulted into confrontation between the officials and the motorcycle riders, when they were trying to get their bikes back.

“The riders overpowered them and collected their motorcycles back. This made the JBPT to reinforce, block the roads, restricting people’s movement.

“Consequently, they started shooting sporadically into the air and around.
“The bullets hit two people immediately.

“One of the victims is an SS3 student of Kankon Senior Secondary School, who died on the spot, while the other hit on the leg is receiving treatment in hospital.”

According to NAN, Hussain Abdullahi, public relations officer, Seme customs area command, confirmed the incident, but said the security operatives were attacked by rice smugglers, who were carrying out their activities through a bush track in Irosu community.

“The officials of JPBT blocked the bush paths and apprehended some motorcycles being used for smuggling rice,” he said.

“The smugglers went to mobilise about 150 people to attack the officials of JBPT, throwing stones and using other weapons.

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

“It was during the shooting that a stray bullet hit one of the ring leaders. The allegation that the guy was coming from farm is a lie. He was among the smugglers and one of them.”

He added that the situation has been brought under control and normal activities have resumed in the area.