A night-time drug raid in Abuja’s Jahi district turned violent on Thursday as gunmen opened fire on operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), leaving three officers wounded and hospitalized.
According to a statement released by Femi Babafemi, Director of Media & Advocacy at NDLEA Headquarters, the attack occurred shortly after the operatives raided an uncompleted building in the NNPC area of Jahi, acting on intelligence and surveillance reports.
During the operation, NDLEA personnel recovered a significant cache of illicit substances, including 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48 grams of tramadol 225mg, 4.9 kilograms of skunk (a potent strain of cannabis), and five android phones.
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As the team attempted to exit the area, they came under a sudden and violent gun attack by unidentified assailants. Three officers sustained gunshot wounds — one to the rib, and two others to the back and leg respectively.
The injured officers were initially stabilized at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1, before being transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja for further treatment.
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), who is currently on official assignment in Kano, commended the swift response by the Police Clinic staff and the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital. He personally contacted the injured officers by phone to express his support and wish them a speedy recovery.
Marwa assured that the Agency, in collaboration with other security bodies, will leave no stone unturned in tracking down those responsible for the attack.
“This cowardly act will not deter our ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking and abuse,” Marwa emphasized.
The incident underscores the escalating dangers NDLEA operatives face in the field as they continue their nationwide crackdown on drug networks.
