Four NDLEA officers shot dead in Ondo

Suspected drug dealers have killed four officers of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo state.

The deceased officers were identified as Aliu Aliu, Mohammed Iliyasu, Wellinton Emmanuel and Abduljalad Mohammed.

They were killed during an operation at Owo/Ifon axis of the old Benin road. TheCable gathered they had been on a man-hunt of some drugs dealers in the area.

A resident of the area, who simply identified himself as Femi, told TheCable that the murdered officers were on the trail of the officers when they were killed.

“The boys (drug dealers) were about seven and they came on three bikes, I think one of them must have been on ground to monitor the activities of the NDLEA officers before hinting others to launch the attack,” he said.

“The officers were still carrying out stop and search on some vehicles when these boys speed through the road, targeted and shot them at a very close range.

“They even set an Hilux vehicle that belongs to the NDLEA officers on fire and carted away their belonging with some of their rifles. There was pandemonium in the area as many locals ran for their lives.”

Haruna Dagara, the Ondo commandant of the NDLEA, confirmed the incident, saying the bodies of the officers have already been evacuated.

“It is true. They are our officers who were manning the Ifon division of our station in Ose local council area of the state because that particular area leads to Benin in Ondo state and it is well known for drug trafficking,” he said.

“We have already evacuated all their corpses from the scene. Other paramilitary agencies are on ground. We shall collaborate with the police to investigate this case.

“This is a huge loss to us and an attack on the anti-narcotic agency but we shall not be discouraged as we are much ready to rid Ondo state of criminal elements and all their collaborators.”

Femi Joseph, spokesman of the Ondo police command, said the police have swung into action and the case is being investigated.