An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), simply identified as Jide, has been shot dead by suspected drug dealers during a raid in Ondo State, reports thegazellenews.com.
It was gathered that NDLEA official was killed when anti-narcotics agents stormed an apartment at Itanla in Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.
According to sources, upon arrival at the apartment, the NDLEA team came under heavy gunfire from the drug peddlers who tried to prevent the operatives from accessing the ceiling where the hard drugs were kept.
One of the sources disclosed that the operatives arrived in the early hours for the sting operation following intel regarding the illegal activities going on in the compound.
The source, who pleaded not to be mentioned, said that “immediately they came in, some of them entered into the building to recover the exhibits while Officer Jide stood outside mounting the sentry guard.
“Suspected gunmen came from nowhere and opened fire on him and he was shot in the neck. The officer was immediately rushed to the hospital, but the doctors on duty confirmed him dead on arrival. It is a very sad development,” the source said
While the state command of NDLEA has yet to comment on the development as at the time of filing this report, the state police command through its Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident.
Ayanlade , who revealed that some arrests had been made in connection with the incident, also added that a manhunt had begun for other fleeing suspects.
The state police image-maker also disclosed that a single-barrel gun was recovered from the scene.
“We reinforced some of our officers down to the scene. We have been able to arrest four prime suspects who are now in our custody. We have also recovered a single-barrel gun, and investigation is also going on in collaboration with the NDLEA to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly attack and killing to book,” Ayanlade said.
