In a shocking turn of events, officers from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were ambushed and attacked by armed men during a raid in Abuja. Three officers are now hospitalised with gunshot wounds, raising serious concerns about the dangers faced by law enforcement in Nigeria’s capital.
Here’s what you need to know:
- NDLEA officers were attacked during a raid in the Jahi area of Abuja.
- Three officers sustained gunshot wounds and are currently hospitalised.
- The raid targeted an uncompleted building allegedly used for drug storage.
- Significant quantities of codeine, tramadol, and skunk were recovered.
- The NDLEA Chairman has vowed to bring the attackers to justice.
The Abuja Ambush: What Happened?
On a Thursday night that Abuja residents won’t soon forget, a team of NDLEA operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed an uncompleted building in the NNPC area of Jahi. The target? A suspected drug den. What they found was a stash of illicit substances, but what followed was a violent ambush.
Inside the Raid: Drugs and Danger
The NDLEA team uncovered a disturbing collection of drugs, including 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48 grammes of tramadol, 4.9 kilogrammes of skunk (a potent strain of cannabis), and several android phones likely used in the operation.
Gunfire Erupts: Officers Wounded
As the NDLEA agents were leaving the premises, armed men opened fire. Three officers were struck by bullets, with one suffering a rib injury and two others wounded in the back and leg. The injured officers were quickly transported to the Police Clinic in Garki before being transferred to the National Hospital in Abuja for comprehensive treatment.
NDLEA Responds: Vows to Hunt Down Attackers
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd), has expressed his outrage over the attack. Despite being away on official duty in Kano, he personally contacted the injured officers to offer his support and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Marwa has assured the public that the NDLEA will use every resource available to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act, working closely with other security agencies to bring them to justice. This attack underscores the dangers faced by those on the front lines of Nigeria’s war on drugs.
The Bigger Picture: Drug Crime in Nigeria
Nigeria continues to battle a growing problem with drug trafficking and abuse. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nigeria is a major transit country for illicit drugs, particularly cocaine and heroin, destined for Europe and other parts of the world. The ready availability of drugs like codeine and tramadol, often misused as painkillers, also fuels addiction and social problems within the country. Raids such as this one highlight the crucial role the NDLEA plays in combating this menace.
NDLEA’s Fight Against Drug Abuse
The NDLEA has been actively conducting raids, arrests, and public awareness campaigns to combat drug trafficking and abuse across Nigeria. They have also focused on rehabilitation and treatment programs for drug addicts. The agency’s efforts are vital in reducing the supply of illicit drugs and addressing the demand for them.
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