Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and officers from the Ekeki Police Division clashed on Monday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, over attempts to arrest a suspected drug dealer.
The altercation, which caused panic at the Ekeki Police Division, reportedly escalated when police officers obstructed NDLEA operatives during a raid.
According to eyewitness accounts, the NDLEA squad had entered the police station’s records before proceeding with their operation to apprehend a woman suspected of drug peddling.
Tensions flared when the police allegedly interfered, leading to a confrontation during which gunshots were fired, causing fear among residents in the area.
Witnesses also reported that the tyres of two NDLEA operational vehicles were deflated by the police to prevent the operatives from taking the suspect away.
NDLEA spokesperson Howells Obah stated that the agency’s operatives adhered to standard operational procedures during the raid. “Our men followed protocol, including making an entry at the Ekeki Police Division. We later discovered the suspect is the wife of a police officer and appears to be enjoying their protection. Unfortunately, our vehicles were shot at, but we are working to de-escalate the situation,” Obah said.
Confirming the incident, the Bayelsa State Police Command spokesperson, Musa Mohammed, said, “I am on my way to the scene to ascertain what happened.”
The clash highlights ongoing challenges in inter-agency cooperation, raising concerns about the coordination of law enforcement efforts. Authorities are expected to investigate the incident and address the underlying issues to prevent future occurrences.
