NDLEA officials shot while trying to intercept truck loaded with cannabis in Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed that some of its officials were shot by armed men at Awolowo Road, Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
Femi Babafemi, the spokesman for the agency, confirmed in a phone call with newsmen.
He said the incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday, while the operatives were trying to intercept a truck carrying cannabis.
Babafemi noted that although some of the NDLEA operatives were shot, but he could not confirm yet if anyone was admitted to the hospital, while adding that the incident happened around 1 am in the morning.
He stated that fire was opened at the NDLEA operatives by suspected fake security agents who accompanied the truck of cannabis, adding that though his men got injured, they were able to recover the truck and the drugs.
“They (the armed men) shot them (NDLEA officials) and damaged their vehicles. In the confrontation, we were able to get away with the suspect and we made sure we got the truck and the drugs,” Babafemi said.
Babafemi said, “The gunshot attracted the military men who supported the NDLEA team. That was the point the suspected fake security agents escaped with the suspects. But we were able to recover the trucks and the drugs.”
“I will need to cross-check that with the command in Lagos. I’m yet to get a comprehensive report.
“I’ve been getting snippets of the incident as it unfolds, since the early hours of this morning. I didn’t know it is something that will leak to the media.
“But it’s still a matter under investigation.”
He, however decried the incident, saying, this is not the first time, while lamenting that same thing happened in November, adding that it’s very unfortunate.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, when contacted, said that the incident was not reported to the police.
“It was not reported to the police,” Hundeyin wrote in a text message to our correspondent, while responding to inquiries.
