Cultists attack NDLEA officials in Rivers, free drug suspect

Suspected cultists, numbering over 100, at the weekend, attacked officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at Odunze lane, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

The hoodlums also freed an arrested drug suspect, identified as Izuu Isuofia, popularly known as ‘50’.

An eyewitness, who disclosed this to The Guardian, yesterday, explained that three officials of NDLEA in disguise, had entered the notorious street and arrested a suspected drug lord.

The eyewitness disclosed that as the NDLEA officials were dragging the suspect to a waiting patrol van, stationed at Ikwerre Road/Iheoma Street, Mile 3, Diobu, suspected cultists armed with bottles and other dangerous weapons started throwing the objects at NDLEA officials, who sustained injuries.

The Guardian gathered that the NDLEA officials fired some shots in the air to disperse the mob, who were mainly teenagers, but they were not deterred as they eventually aided the escape of the drug kingpin.

Confirming the incident, the Public Affairs Officer, Media and Advocacy Unit of the Rivers State Command of the Agency, Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, said the incident happened in the evening of Friday.

He explained that operatives of the Command raided a hang-out/drinking joint around Odunze Street, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt, and apprehended a suspected drug dealer, named Izuu Isuofia and popularly called ‘50’ with a large quantity of Cannabis sativa.

He stressed that while trying to move the suspect to the patrol van, he raised an alarm and was resisting arrest, which resulted in a scuffle.

“Within minutes, hoodlums in their large numbers attacked the NDLEA officers with bottles and stones.

“They managed to free the already handcuffed suspect as well as carting away the exhibits before the arrival of our backup team,” he added.

Ogbumgbada, however, noted that the State Commander, Ahmed Mamuda, has tasked operatives of the Command to deploy all necessary arsenals to ensure that the suspect and his cohorts are arrested and brought to justice.