The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it is investigating a shooting incident involving its officers during the raid of a drug joint at Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta State, where a stray bullet hit a young person, who later died in hospital.
The Agency, in a statement, yesterday, signed by its Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd.) has after receiving initial briefings from the state command of NDLEA, set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on-the-spot investigation of the unfortunate incident with a view to establishing the actual facts of the case.
He said based on the initial report, “A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours, on Thursday, July 13 and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.
“In a bid demobilise the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. While the injured officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but unfortunately died in the process.
“We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance, while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s).”
