On Thursday, a violent clash between Nigeria Police officers and members of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency erupted at the Ekeki Police Division in Yenagoa, causing chaos.
According to reports, some NDLEA agents were in the area to arrest a woman suspected of being a drug trader and had even filed an entry in the police records before carrying out their mission.
However, when they were conducting their operation, police officers from the Ekeki Police Division obstructed the NDLEA operatives, resulting in an altercation.
Several shots were fired in the ensuing confrontation, causing alarm among nearby homes, according to an eyewitness on Thursday.
“While I was at the Bayelsa Newspaper Corporation, I heard around six gunfire and decided to investigate. As I approached the Ekeki Police Division, I witnessed an altercation between police and NDLEA agents,” the eyewitness stated.
According to reports, the police shot two NDLEA working cars in order to prevent the agency from transporting the suspect.
The eyewitness went on to say that it appeared that the police were reportedly giving cover for the drug suspect to conduct her drug operation near the police division.
“The incident has made people suspect that the police are allegedly providing some kind of support for the woman to do drug business in the area,” he mentioned.
When contacted, NDLEA spokesman Mr. Howells Oba stated, “Our men went for an operation behind the Ekeki Police Division.” Our man visited the police station.”
Oba commented on the shooting, saying, “They shot two of our vehicles, and we’re figuring out how to get them out.”
He stated that the agency would issue a formal statement regarding the situation, but that they were working to resolve the issue and restore peace.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Musa Mohammed, said he was rushing to the scene to find out what happened.
