A National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operative has been killed in the line of duty during a sting operation in Itanla, Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The officer, identified simply as Jide, was reportedly gunned down by suspected drug traffickers while his team raided a residential compound in the early hours of the day, acting on intelligence about drug-related activities at the location.
A source who spoke with Daily Post under anonymity revealed that the NDLEA team had split up upon arrival at the scene. “Immediately they came in, some of them entered into the building to recover the exhibits while Officer Jide stood outside mounting the sentry guard,” the source said.
Tragically, gunmen suspected to be connected to the drug operation emerged and opened fire on Jide, shooting him in the neck. “The officer was immediately rushed to the hospital, but the doctors on duty confirmed him dead on arrival. It is a very sad development,” the source added.
Reports indicate that the operatives faced heavy gunfire while attempting to retrieve narcotics believed to be stashed in the ceiling of the building.
Efforts to reach the NDLEA spokesperson in the state, Adebayo Solomon, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
However, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident and stated that arrests had been made.
“We reinforced some of our officers down to the scene. We have been able to arrest four prime suspects who are now in our custody,” he said. “We have also recovered a single-barrel gun, and investigation is also going on in collaboration with the NDLEA to bring the perpetrators of the dastardly attack and killing to book.”
Ayanlade further assured that a manhunt is underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects involved in the fatal shooting.
