The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency is currently conducting an investigation into a shooting incident that occurred during a raid on a drug establishment in the Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta state.
Tragically, stray bullets discharged by the agency’s officers on Thursday resulted in the death of a two-year-old child and caused injuries to their sibling.
The unfortunate victims were struck by the stray bullets as they had just returned from school and were at their mother’s shop.
In response to this incident, the agency’s spokesperson stated in a release on Saturday that the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd), has established a panel to look into the matter.
The statement read, “The Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) has after receiving initial briefings from the Delta state command of NDLEA, set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on-the-spot investigation of the unfortunate incident to establish the facts of the case.
“This follows an initial incident report, which reveals the following: A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday 13th July and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who are currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.
“In a bid to demobilize the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. While the injured officer was rushed to the hospital, the officers received reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person. They immediately located the victim’s father, followed him to the hospital, and assisted in facilitating his treatment. However, he died in the process.
Babafemi added that the agency had spoken with the victims’ family, promising Nigerians that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
“We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our incident investigation. We assure the family and the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s).”
