DELTA: NDLEA OFFICER DROWNS IN PURSUIT OF SUSPECTED DRUG OFFENDER
Read Time:1 Minute, 44 Second
By ‘Balogun Ibrahim
A yet-to-be-identified officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has reportedly drowned while pursuing a suspected drug offender into the Ethiope River in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Saturday, was captured in a video circulating on social media and seen by Vanguard.
According to information accompanying the video, NDLEA operatives were attempting to arrest suspected drug offenders when one of the suspects, who was allegedly being taken towards the Ethiope River Bridge, jumped into the river in an attempt to escape.
The officers reportedly followed the suspect into the river in an effort to apprehend him.
READ MORE…
PHYNA, NKECHI BLESSING SET FOR CELEBRITY BOXING CLASH ON OCTOBER 1
While one of the officers was said to have been rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment, another reportedly drowned during the pursuit.
The suspected offenders were also said to have escaped through the river.
The body of the officer was later reportedly recovered from the river.
Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in the area were performed before the remains were released to the relevant authorities. The sources claimed that items, including a goat, were provided as part of the rites.
However, the identities of the officers and suspected offenders, as well as the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, could not be independently verified.
The NDLEA had yet to officially comment on the incident as of press time.
A similar incident occurred in August 2016 when an NDLEA officer attached to the Borno State Command drowned while pursuing a suspected drug baron.
The then NDLEA Commandant in Borno, Ona Ogilegwu, said the incident occurred during an operation in the Gwange area of Maiduguri.
He said four officers were involved in a water mishap after diving into the Gwange River in an attempt to arrest the suspect.
According to him, one of the officers died in hospital after efforts to revive him failed, while the surviving officers were discharged after receiving medical treatment.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0