Drug War: Ndlea Officer Dies In A Mob Attack

okonta Emeka Okelum

Following the recent mob attack on a joint team of operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Police at Owo town in Ondo State, the Agency had lost one of its officers in the process. The raid operation that led to the seizure of 2,300kg of cannabis and two arrests of drug suspects also claimed the life an NDLEA officer, Abdullahi Yerima Idris an Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics ASNI. The late officer who was said to have sustained a fracture during the drug operation died in a hospital where he was receiving treatment. His death brings the number of officers that have died this year to 31.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, irked by the sad development vowed to fight back stressing that drug barons will have no hiding place in the country. The NDLEA boss who described the death of the officer as painful noted that those responsible for the attack shall be brought to book. “The death of my officer is painful but those that perpetrated the heinous act must be brought to book. Drug barons and their cohorts shall know no peace” Giade promised.

NDLEA Commander in Ondo State, Mr. Walter Nicholas said that five Police officers and an operative of the NDLEA sustained gun shots during the attack but were immediately rushed to the hospital for intensive care. “In all, five police officers and one NDLEA officer sustained gunshots during the attack. They were immediately rushed to the hospital for intensive care, and most of them recovered except Abdullahi, the Superintendent of Narcotics, whom we lost. It is very sad but we are not giving up” Walter stated.

Abdullahi was born on March 27 1969 in his home town, Potiskum, Yobe State. He attended Kara Primary School between 1975 and 1981 before proceeding to Government Commercial Secondary School Nguru, Yobe State where he graduated in 1986. Late Abdullahi also obtained a National Diploma in Business Administration from Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri. Before he enlisted into the NDLEA in 1994, he worked briefly with the Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs, Department of National and Civic Registration, Maiduguri. He is survived by a pregnant wife.