Panic gripped residents of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Thursday following a violent clash between officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the police at the Ekeki Police Division. The incident occurred during an NDLEA operation to arrest a woman accused of drug trafficking, who is alleged to be the wife of a police officer.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire during the altercation, which escalated after the NDLEA operatives faced resistance from police officers. The situation caused chaos in the area as residents and passersby scrambled for safety.
According to NDLEA spokesperson Howells Obah, the agency followed proper protocols by registering their presence at the police division before proceeding with the operation.
โOur officers carried out a raid near the Ekeki Police Division and documented their activities as required. However, we faced interference during the operation. The suspect, reportedly the wife of a police officer, appeared to be under police protection,โ Obah said.
He further revealed that the confrontation resulted in gunfire, with two NDLEA vehicles sustaining damage from gunshots. โWe are working to recover the vehicles and de-escalate tensions,โ Obah added.
Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer Musa Mohammed confirmed the incident, stating that he was on his way to the scene to gather more details. โI am heading there now to find out what happened,โ he said.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between security agencies in Nigeria and raises concerns about inter-agency cooperation. Observers have called for a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and prevent future occurrences.
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