By Ismail Auwal
Miscreants have injured at least seven operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during the arrest of a notorious drug dealer, Micha Godwin, at Nukai Market, along the Jalingo-Wukari road in Jalingo, Taraba State.
While confirming the attack, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, stated that the vehicles of the anti-narcotic officers were also damaged as a result of the attack.
He also stated that despite the attack, the officers were able to apprehend the perpetrator after recovering some illegal drugs from him. They then retreated to transport the injured personnel to the hospital for treatment.
“Following intelligence, the operatives on Tuesday 8th March stormed the market at about 2.30 pm to arrest the drug dealer and evacuate illicit substances in his warehouse. Soon after the arrest of Micha, miscreants mobilised from the community to attack the officers and vehicles with dangerous weapons.”
“A reinforcement from the State Command of the agency and other security agencies were able to move in to rescue the operatives from the scene of attack,” Babafemi said.
He also quoted the drug dealer, currently in custody, as saying “What happened today is bad because this is the second time I have been arrested and brought here, but the first arrest was not like this. I don’t know who invited the boys who attacked the NDLEA officers.”
Reacting to the incident, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), condemned the attack and directed an immediate switch to new operational guidelines that will make officers and men well-positioned to defend themselves adequately in the course of carrying out their duties.
“Henceforth, any obstruction or attack on NDLEA operatives in line of duty by suspects or their supporters would receive a commensurate response,” Marwa said.
