Blood shedding in Ondo town continues as operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), identified simply as Officer Jide, has been repeatedly shot dead by suspected drug peddlers during a raid in Ondo town, Ondo State.
Newsmen gathered that the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday during a sting operation by NDLEA operatives at a residential building in the Ita’nla area of the town.
According to sources, the operation followed intelligence that illicit drugs were being concealed in the ceiling of the apartment. Upon storming the premises, some officers entered the building to recover the suspected drugs while Officer Jide stood guard outside.
“He was keeping watch when suspected gunmen suddenly emerged and opened fire on him. He was shot in the neck and rushed to the hospital, but the doctors on duty confirmed him dead on arrival,” a source who witnessed the aftermath of the attack, said.
While attempts to reach the NDLEA’s Ondo Command spokesperson, Adebayo Solomon, were unsuccessful, but the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the state, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the killing in an interview.
Ayanlade said the police swiftly mobilized to the scene and arrested four suspects linked to the shooting. A single-barrel gun believed to have been used in the attack was also recovered.
“Immediately the incident occurred, we reinforced and deployed officers to the area. So far, we have arrested four suspects who are in custody. We also recovered a single-barrel firearm,” Ayanlade stated.
He added that the police are working in collaboration with the NDLEA to ensure that all those responsible for the killing are brought to justice.The Hope
