Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) clashed yesterday, with some suspected members of cult groups and youths of Yenizue-Epie community in the Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State, over the arrest of a notorious female drug dealer known as Rebecca.
It was gathered that the NDLEA officers, upon proper surveillance, had carried out a pre-purchase of cannabis sativa and crack cocaine made on March 15, 2024, from the female drug dealer, Rebecca.
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In the course of trying to arrest her on Wednesday at about 7pm, the officers were allegedly attacked by the cult groups and youths of the community, seized drug exhibits recovered and freed the said Rebecca.
The public relations officer of the NDLEA Bayelsa State Command, DSN Daniel Howells Obah, said in a statement, yesterday that the youths were allegedly throwing bottles, stones and improvised explosive devices, which led to exchange of gun shots.
Also, the state commander of the NDLEA, Kanu Sunny Chukwuemeka, while expressing sadness over the ugly incidence, condemned it in strong terms and wondered why the youths who are supposed to be the advocates of peaceful society and hope of the future will take laws into their hands by aiding and abetting the commission of drug crimes, which is the bane of our insecurity problems, and obstructing the arrest of a suspect.
He thanked the swiftness and gallantry of the police in rising to the occasion and the leadership of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), central zone, who were all on ground to help bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, the lifeless body, later identified as one of Moses Akada, has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa pending investigation into the real cause of his death. The State Commander, however, commiserated with the family of the deceased and asked for calmness as the matter was being looked into.
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