NDLEA: We’re Probing Shooting Incident Involving Officers in Delta

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday disclosed that it had commenced investigation into a shooting incident involving its officers during the raid of a drug joint at Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta State.

NDLEA, a federal drug law enforcement agency, revealed that a stray bullet as a result of which he eventually died while undergoing treatment in the hospital unfortunately hit a young person.

This was revealed in a statement the drug agency released yesterday, revealed that it had commenced investigation into the incident after receiving initial briefings from the Delta state command of NDLEA.

The statement said the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa had set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on the spot investigation of the unfortunate incident with a view to establishing the actual facts of the case.

This follows initial incident report, which reveals the following: “A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday July 13 and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.

“In a bid demobilize the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped.

“While the injured Officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but unfortunately died in the process.

“We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary actions.”