A National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officer was shot dead by suspected drug dealers during a raid on an apartment in Ondo town’s Ita’nla area on Tuesday.
The officer, attached to the NDLEA’s Ondo Command, was part of a team that stormed the building to recover drugs stored inside the ceiling.
According to eyewitnesses, the team acted on a tip-off about the storage of illicit substances in the residential building. As they entered the building to seize the contraband, the officer stood guard outside.
Suddenly, suspected gunmen emerged and opened fire, fatally wounding the officer. He was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, confirmed the incident and announced that four suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime.
A single-barrel gun was also recovered from the suspects. Lawal stated that investigations are ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The police commissioner revealed that reinforcements were swiftly deployed to the scene after the incident.
“We have arrested four suspects who are now in our custody, and a single-barrel gun has been recovered. The remains of the officer have been deposited at the hospital morgue,” Lawal said.
