The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said that it is investigating a shooting incident involving its officers during the raid of a drug joint at Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta state on Thursday.
According to reports, stray bullets from the operatives killed a two-year-old child, Ivan Omhonria, and wounded his sibling, Eromonsele.
The two brothers had just returned from school to their mother’s shop when they were hit by stray bullets.
Ivan was reportedly hit on his abdomen while the bullet brushed Eromonsele on the eye.
In a statement on Saturday, Director of Media & Advocacy of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said that Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has launched a probe into the matter.
“The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has said that it is investigating a shooting incident involving its officers during the raid of a drug joint at Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta state, where unfortunately a young person was hit by a stray bullet as a result of which he eventually died while undergoing treatment in the hospital.
“The Agency in a statement on Saturday 15th July said the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has after receiving initial briefings from the Delta state command of NDLEA, set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on the spot investigation of the unfortunate incident with a view to establishing the actual facts of the case.
“This follows initial incident report, which reveals the following: “A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday 13th July and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital.
“In a bid demobilize the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. While the injured Officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but unfortunately died in the process.”
The NDLEA spokesman said that the agency is in touch with the victims’ family to provide necessary assistance while investigation into the incident is being concluded.
“We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s),” the statement further read.