NDLEA issues 7-day ultimatum to Bayelsa community over pistol snatched from personnel, 2 freed suspects

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Bayelsa has demanded the return of a pistol snatched from its officials, as well as exhibits and two suspects freed by Oruma community in the state during an operation on Wednesday, within seven days.

Residents at Oruma, Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) disarmed the NDLEA officials, seized a pistol loaded with 26 rounds of ammunition, freed two arrested suspects and made away with exhibits earlier seized from the suspects during a raid.

The NDLEA dismissed allegations that it invaded Oruma community without cause as not only false and malicious, but also misleading.

A statement credited to the Youth President of Oruma community, Mr. Joshua Inebika-Emi, on the attack on NDLEA claimed that the NDLEA had invaded the area and caused panic by shooting indiscriminately.

The NDLEA clarified that its officers were ambushed and attacked by suspected drug dealers, cultists and indigenes of Oruma community who overpowered and disarmed its operatives.

The agency noted that the alarm of invasion was falsehood as the NDLEA was conducting its lawful duties.

The statement was signed by Daniel Obah, the Public Relations Officer, NDLEA in Bayelsa.

According to the statement: “It is quite unfortunate and embarrassing that someone who is supposed to be an advocate of a crime free society, a custodian of social values could be drawn into the antics of drug dealers and criminals who are always opposed to peace, law and order.”

The spokesman said that the NDLEA is an elite security agency which is not only ethical, but very professional in their operations based on the Rules of Engagement guiding paramilitary operations in all situations.

“It is foolhardy to believe that NDLEA officers will just storm a community and start shooting sporadically.

“What Mr. Youth President failed to tell the public is that, on Wednesday August 28, 2024, suspected drug dealers and criminals taking refuge in his community in the numbers attacked NDLEA officers.

“After the officers had successfully arrested a suspected drug dealer and his sales boy, and were trying to leave, the irate indigenes of Oruma community blocked the bridge to the community.

“The community overpowered the advance team of officers, collected a pistol loaded with rounds of 9mm live ammunition, freed the two suspects and seized the exhibits recovered and equally vandalize the Restoration Taxi with Reg. No: BYS 060 TR given to the command by the Bayelsa government.

“They shot and stabbed the NDLEA officers. It was when they sighted the NDLEA backup Tactical team that they started running away and that saved what could have been more fatal,” the statement reads.

According to him, the NDLEA in Bayelsa is not at war with any individual or community and can not send out its officers to cause chaos or pandemonium in any area.

He, therefore, called on all well meaning individuals in the society to join forces with the NDLEA in their efforts aimed at stopping the scourge of drug abuse.

“We need all to support our battle to curb drug addiction in our communities and cities, and equally bring the merchants of death and criminality, the drug dealers to book.

“The State Commander NDLEA Bayelsa, Kanu Chukwuemeka, is using this opportunity to call on the Paramount ruler and entire leadership of the community to produce within seven days, the pistol, loaded with 15 rounds of 9mm live ammunition they collected from the officers.

“The should also produce the two male suspects arrested and the exhibits recovered from them or be ready to contend with the law.”

The Oruma Youth President who had raised the alarm could not be reached for reaction, as his mobile phone was not connecting.