NDLEA Officer Dies, 6 Suspects Arrested in Bonny Island Raid

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has lost one of its officers in an operation against illicit drug dealers in Bonny Island, Rivers State. NDLEA operatives also arrested six suspects and recovered packs of cocaine, heroin, skunk tramadol, and methamphetamine, during the raid at a notorious drug enclave, known as Ama Hausa, in Bonny Island. The Head of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, FEMI BABAFEMI, confirmed the death of Chief Narcotic Agent SADIQ BAKO MUJAHID from severe head injuries during the confrontation with the drug dealers. BABAFEMI the suspects in detention include the gang leader of the drug dealers, identified as GENESIS GEORGE BENSON, whom he said was responsible for the death of the NDLEA operative. He said the other suspects are THANKGOD OKON; SHAMSUDDEN ISAH; MUHAMMED MUSA; ADAMU MUHAMMED; and MUHAMMED YUSUF. The spokesman disclosed in a statement that the operation took a tragic turn when one of the suspects, GENESIS GEORGE BENSON, mobilized a group of armed hoodlums to attack the operatives in a bid to escape arrest. “During the ensuing violent confrontation, a dedicated officer, Chief Narcotic Agent Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained severe head injuries. Despite being rushed immediately to the Bonny Island General Hospital for emergency medical attention, Mujahid unfortunately succumbed to his injuries” he said. Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the bravery and resilience of the officers who stood their ground despite the brutal attack. "I salute the gallantry of our men who refused to be intimidated by these criminal elements. Even after the cowardly attack on Mujahid, our operatives ensured that the assailants were overpowered and arrested, and their illicit substances confiscated. Their sacrifice will not be in vain." While mourning the loss of Mujahid, Marwa described him as a disciplined and courageous officer who paid the ultimate price in the service of his fatherland. “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his colleagues, and the Rivers State Command.” “Any attack on our officers is an attack on the state, and it will not go without dire consequences. We remain undeterred in our mission to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs, and we will continue to take the fight to the enclaves of these merchants of death”, the NDLEA boss warned.