Four operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have been shot dead by gunmen suspected to be drug dealers.
The deceased officers, who are attached to the Ondo State Command of the NDLEA, were reportedly attacked while on duty at the checkpoint of the agency’s Ifon Division around Ikaro/Sabo axis in Ose local government area of the state, via the Owo/Benin highway.
A source revealed that the gunmen who stormed the checkpoint on motorcycles, were three in number and armed with AK-47 rifles.
He added that the four NDLEA officers were shot and the agency’s Toyota Hilux set ablaze.
“The NDLEA officers were five in number at the check point but one of them escaped and their rifles were taken away,” the source said.
He confirmed that the bodies of the NDLEA officials were found by some farmers in the early hours of the day.
“When their bodies were discovered, their guns were not found with them.
“Our society is no more safe, if armed men are being gunned down like that,” the source lamented.
The NDLEA Commander in the state, Mr Haruna Dagara, who confirmed the incident said efforts were ongoing to nab the culprits.
“Our men have gone to evacuate the corpses from the scene and other paramilitary agencies are on ground,” he said.
Meanwhile, the deceased officials have been identified as, Abduljalad Mohammed; Wellinton Emmanuel; Magaji Aliu and Mohammed Iliyasu.
It is on record that Ondo State has been one of the strong dens of drug barons in the country, who specialize in the cultivation of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Indian Hemp”.
