Suspected drug peddlers have killed four officers of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who were on duty in Ondo State.
The officers identified as Magaji Aliu, Mohammed Iliyasu, Wellinton Emmanuel and Abduljalad Mohammed, were shot dead during a “stop and search operation.”
LEADERSHIP learnt that the officers were stationed on the notorious Owo/Ifon axis of the old Benin road and had been on a man-hunt of some notorious drugs dealers in the area.
A local simply identified as Mr. Femi who confirmed the sad news to our correspondent yesterday said the murdered officers had been on the trail of drug barons who use the bushes in the area to perpetrate their crimes.
He explained that the officers were attacked and shot dead at close range by the assailants who came in with three motorbikes.
“The boys [drug dealers] were about seven and they came in three bikes, I think one of them must have been on ground to monitor the activities of the NDLEA officers before hinting others to launch the attack.
“The officers were still carrying out a stop and search on some vehicles when these boys speed through the road, targeted the NDLEA men and shot them at a very close range.
“They even set an Hilux vehicle that belongs to the NDLEA officers on fire and carted away their belongings including some of their rifles.
“There were pandemonium in the area as many locals run for their lives with the sound of heavy guns,” he said.
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Reacting, the State Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Mr Haruna Gagara confirmed the killing of its officers during an interview in Akure.
Mr Gagara who described the death of the four gallant officers as very painful noted that the anti-narcotic agency would not be deterred in its fight against drug peddlers.
The commandant, however, vowed that the command would continue its operations in Ondo State stressing that its collaboration with other security agencies will also be strengthened in order to wage war against drug dealers.
“Five of my officers were on patrol duty along Ifon road, two persons on motorcycle with Ak47 riffles in a sack opened fire on the officers, killing four and one escaped unhurt.
“They set the patrol van ablaze before they left. This type of incident has not happened before, but we have had cases of mob attack. This is the first time they came and attack our men for no reason.
“It is an unprovoked attack. The people we are waging war against are the prime suspects. I am sure that God will expose them and we will get them.
“But am promising you, this will not deter us, rather this will ginger us to do more. I assure you that with other security agencies in the state, the war will surely be won,” Gagara said.
Spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, Femi Joseph, who confirmed the sad news said that the command have swung into action and was already investigating the case.
