NDLEA agents killed attempting to arrest hemp dealer

It was a black Sunday for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as three officers were killed in a mob attack while on official assignment in Owode, Ogun State.

NDLEA spokesman, Ofoyeju Mitchell said that the incident occurred during the arrest of a notorious cannabis dealer, Azeez Babatunde.

Three officers Bolaji Owolodun, Rabiu Usman Kazaure and Ishaku Joshua were confirmed dead following the attack.

The Ogun State commander, Mr. Bala Fagge said that the suspect they went to arrest was in the Agency’s custody and will soon be charged to court.

Bala said: “We have the main suspect in our custody and he will be charged to court soon. There is one other officer that sustained injury who is currently recuperating at the hospital.”

Chairman of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade who received the news of the death with shock, vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

He added: “It is shocking that officers on legitimate assignment will be attacked and killed by people whose interest they are protecting. I have ordered investigation into the incident and the Agency will leave no stone unturned until the perpetrators are arrested and dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country.”

The NDLEA boss described the officers as gallant heroes of the anti-narcotics crusade.

According to Giade, “these gallant heroes have paid the supreme price for a drug-free society. We shall immortalize them by punishing the culprits and sustain the fight against drug barons. The Agency will take good care of the family members whom they have left behind.”