Bayelsa: ‘Cultists’ engage NDLEA officials in gun battle, free arrested suspect

Some youths suspected to be cultists attacked the Bayelsa State Headquarters of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday and freed an arrested suspect.

Daily Trust reports  that the NDLEA officials had on Wednesday cracked down on a female drugs dealer at Yenizue-Epie community in Yenagoa LGA and in the process of trying to effect her arrest, officials of the agencies were attacked.

However, the NDLEA operatives were able to arrest a suspect identified as Abraham Aderin.

But after the violence of Thursday, Aderin was set free, while the corpse of a youth identified as Moses Akada was discovered at the agency’s office.

Confirming the incident, the NDLEA Public Relations Officers in Bayelsa, said the lifeless body of the deceased had been deposited at the Federal Medical center in Yenagoa pending investigation into the real cause of his death.

He said: “Yesterday 20th March 2024 at about 1900hrs, officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Bayelsa State Command, upon proper surveillance carried out and pre-purchase of cannabis sativa and crack cocaine made on the 15th of March, 2024 from a notorious female drug dealer that goes by the name Rebecca at Yenizue-Epie.

“In the course of trying to effect her arrest, the officers were attacked by cult groups and youths of that community, seized drug exhibits recovered and freed the said Rebecca. They were throwing bottles, stones and improvised explosive devices leading to exchange of gunshots.

“However the NDLEA officers were able to arrest one Abraham Aderin ‘m’ 14yrs who sparked the mob leaving the scene with several injuries to the office.

“The same cult groups and youths again in their numbers proceeded to attack the State Command headquarters throwing bottles and improvised explosive devices, and vandalising vehicles in the office, and dumping a lifeless body of young man in front of the office.

“The situation was however, brought under control with the Swift response from the Nigeria Police and joint patrol teams of Operation Doo-Akpo.

“The State Commander of the NDLEA, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, while expressing sadness over the ugly incident, condemns it in strong terms why the youths who are supposed to be the advocates of peaceful societies and hope of the future will take laws into their hands by aiding and abetting the commission of drug crimes, the bane of our insecurity problems, and obstructing the arrest of a suspect.

“The State Commander also thanked the swiftness and gallantry of the Police in rising to the occasion, and the leadership of the IYC central zone who were all on ground to help bring the situation under control.

“The State Commander, commiserate with the family of the deceased and ask for calmness, that the matter is being looked into,” he said.