A raid conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the Okaka area of Yenagoa, the capital city of Bayelsa State, turned deadly on Wednesday evening. The operation, aimed at arresting drug peddlers and dealers in the area, was met with fierce resistance from armed youths.
During the ensuing chaos, the NDLEA team reportedly fired shots indiscriminately, one of which tragically struck a bricklayer returning from work. The NDLEA officials had intended to apprehend a notorious dealer operating in the area, but their efforts were thwarted by hoodlums who attacked them with bottles and other weapons.
Martha Ovie, a resident of the area, recounted the incident, saying that around 7pm, they saw NDLEA officials marching past their homes towards a known gathering spot. Panic ensued as people began to run for safety, and it was later discovered that someone had died in the incident.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the NDLEA State Command's Public Relations Officer, DSN Daniel Howells Obah, it was clarified that the officers were on a special assignment to arrest a notorious female drug dealer named Rebecca. However, they were attacked by cult groups and community youths who threw bottles, stones, and improvised explosive devices, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Despite the violent confrontation, the NDLEA officers managed to arrest one Abraham Aderin, a 14-year-old male who incited the mob, and brought him to the office with several injuries. The same cult groups and youths later attacked the State Command Headquarters, vandalising vehicles and leaving a lifeless body, later identified as Moses Akada, in front of the office.
The situation was eventually brought under control thanks to the swift response from the Nigeria Police and joint patrol teams of Operation Doo-Akpo. The State Commander of the NDLEA, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, expressed sadness over the incident and condemned the actions of the youths. He commended the police for their swift and gallant response, as well as the leadership of the IYC central zone, who helped to restore order.
The lifeless body of Moses Akada has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa pending an investigation into the cause of his death. The State Commander has extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and has asked for calm as the matter is being investigated.