An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), identified only as Jide, has been shot and killed by suspected drug traffickers during a raid in Ondo State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Ita’nla area of Ondo town, during an early-morning operation by officers from the Ondo Command of the NDLEA.
According to sources, the team was acting on intelligence about illicit drugs hidden in the ceiling of a residential apartment.
A witness familiar with the operation said the NDLEA operatives were met with gunfire shortly after storming the building.
“They got a tip-off that drugs were being stored in a house at Ita’nla,” the source explained.
“While some officers entered the apartment to retrieve the drugs, Officer Jide remained outside on sentry duty.
Suddenly, gunmen emerged and shot him in the neck.”Jide was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the NDLEA’s Ondo Command, Adebayo Solomon, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
However, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident. He stated that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting, and a single-barrel gun was recovered at the scene.
“Once the attack occurred, we deployed additional officers to the area. Four prime suspects are currently in our custody,” Ayanlade said.
“A firearm has been recovered, and investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the NDLEA to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
