Tragedy struck Obiaruku community in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State at the weekend when an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reportedly drowned in the River Ethiope while pursuing a fleeing suspected drug offender.

The incident, according to community sources, occurred after NDLEA operatives apprehended a suspected drug offender and took him towards the River Ethiope Bridge.

Sources said the suspect suddenly broke free from the officers and jumped into the river in an apparent attempt to escape arrest.

In an effort to apprehend the fleeing suspect, the NDLEA officers reportedly entered the river in pursuit.

However, the operation turned tragic when one of the officers reportedly drowned in the process.

Another officer who also entered the river was said to have been rescued and rushed to a hospital for medical attention.

The suspect and other persons reportedly being pursued were said to have escaped through the river during the incident.

The body of the deceased NDLEA officer was later recovered from the River Ethiope.

The Guardian learnt that the recovery of the officer’s remains was followed by traditional rites observed in Obiaruku in connection with persons who drown in the River Ethiope.

Community sources said the traditional practice requires certain rites to be performed before the remains of a drowning victim can be released.

According to the sources, the rites were reportedly performed before the remains were eventually released to NDLEA authorities.

The sources added that the traditional requirements included the provision of a goat and other specified items.

The circumstances surrounding the drowning, including the precise identities of the deceased officer, the surviving officer and the suspected drug offender, could not be independently established as of the time of filing this report.

When contacted, Delta State Commander of the NDLEA, Halilu Hamidi, neither confirmed the incident nor denied it, but simply referred me to the NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi who did not answer calls placed to his telephone.

He also did not respond to text messages and WhatsApp messages sent seeking clarification on the incident.

However, a senior NDLEA official confirmed that the incident occurred, stating that an investigation was ongoing.

The official said the authorities would investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the actual cause of the officer’s death.

As of press time, however, NDLEA authorities had not officially released the identity of the deceased officer or provided details of the suspect whose attempted escape reportedly led to the fatal pursuit.