Gunmen kill NDLEA operative during drug raid
During a Tuesday sting operation in Ondo town, Ondo State, an NDLEA operative, identified as Officer Jide, was fatally shot by suspected drug traffickers who opened fire on the anti-narcotics team.
Sources close to the incident revealed that NDLEA officers raided an apartment in the Ita’nla area after receiving a tip about a stash of illicit drugs hidden in the building’s ceiling. The team reportedly launched the early morning operation to catch the suspects off guard.
“They got intelligence that hard drugs were being stored inside a ceiling in one of the apartments at Ita’nla,” a source told Premium Times. “The operation was swift—some of the officers went into the house to retrieve the drugs, while Officer Jide remained outside on guard duty.”
However, the operation took a deadly turn when unknown gunmen believed to be part of the drug network ambushed the team and opened fire, targeting the officer positioned outside.
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“The attackers appeared from nowhere and shot Jide directly in the neck,” the source added. “He was rushed to the hospital immediately, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. It’s a heartbreaking loss for the agency.”
Police Confirm Four Arrests, Recovered Firearm
While the Ondo State NDLEA Command has yet to issue an official statement, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the killing and disclosed that law enforcement responded swiftly to the scene.
“Our officers were deployed as reinforcements immediately after the incident,” Ayanlade said. “So far, four suspects have been apprehended, and a single-barrel firearm believed to have been used in the attack has been recovered.”
He also stated that a joint investigation is underway between the police and the NDLEA to track down all those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted.
READ ALSO: NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in lipsticks bound for UK, Saudi Arabia
“We are working closely with the NDLEA to uncover the full details of this attack. Every effort is being made to arrest any remaining accomplices and ensure justice is served,” he added.
Growing Concerns Over Attacks on Security Personnel
The killing of Officer Jide adds to the growing list of security operatives targeted in the line of duty, particularly those involved in anti-drug enforcement operations. The NDLEA, under increasing pressure from drug trafficking syndicates, has recently intensified its raids across the country, leading to both significant seizures and, in some cases, violent confrontations.
The attack has sparked outrage within the local community and security circles, with many calling for stronger measures to protect law enforcement personnel and clamp down on drug cartels operating in residential neighborhoods.
As investigations continue, the NDLEA and the Nigerian Police Force have pledged to ensure that those behind the killing of Officer Jide are brought to justice. His death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by frontline officers in Nigeria’s escalating war against narcotics.
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