Three operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been hospitalised with gunshot wounds following a violent attack during a drug raid in Abuja.
According to a statement released on Friday by NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the incident occurred during an operation at an uncompleted building in the NNPC area of Jahi, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), based on credible intelligence and surveillance.
During the raid, the agency recovered 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48 grammes of tramadol (225mg), 4.9 kilogrammes of skunk, and five Android phones.
However, as the operatives were exiting the location, they came under gunfire from unidentified assailants.
“Three officers sustained gunshot injuries—one in the rib, and two others in the back and leg,” Babafemi said. “They were initially stabilised at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 before being transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja, for further treatment.”
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the medical personnel at the Police Clinic for their swift intervention and thanked the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital for personally overseeing the officers’ care.
While on official duty in Kano, Marwa spoke directly with the injured operatives via phone to extend his support and wish them a quick recovery. He also assured them that the agency, in collaboration with other security agencies, would leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
This attack adds to the growing risks faced by anti-narcotics officers across the country, as they continue to wage war against drug trafficking and abuse.
