 officials and officers at the Ekeki Police Division in Yenagoa over the attempted arrest of a suspected drug dealer, sparking panic in the area.){kind=link}
A violent confrontation occurred between National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials and officers at the Ekeki Police Division in Yenagoa over the attempted arrest of a suspected drug dealer, sparking panic in the area.
Reports indicate that NDLEA operatives arrived at the police station to apprehend a woman believed to be involved in drug trafficking.
They had made the necessary entry in the police records before carrying out the operation.
However, as the NDLEA team moved to arrest the suspect, police officers from the Ekeki Division intervened, resulting in a clash.
Witnesses stated that the situation escalated quickly, leading to gunshots being fired during the confrontation.
The gunfire frightened local residents and caused significant alarm. In the process, two NDLEA vehicles were damaged, with their tyres deflated due to the gunfire, as the police sought to stop the arrest.
NDLEA spokesperson Howells Obah confirmed that their operatives followed proper procedure in the raid.
He revealed that the suspect was believed to be the wife of a police officer, which may have led to her receiving protection.
Obah also mentioned the police shot at two of their vehicles but assured that efforts were being made to calm the situation and prevent further conflict.
DSP Musa Mohammed, the Bayelsa Police Command’s public relations officer, confirmed the incident and said he was en route to the scene to investigate the matter further.
“I am going there now to find out what happened,” he said.