One dead, many injured as NDLEA officers clash with hoodlums in Lagos

By ABBAS JIMOH

One person has been reported dead after a clash between operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and some hoodlums in Lagos Island.

Officials of the NDLEA were reported to have engaged the thugs in a gun duel during a raid on camps of some drug peddlers in the area on Saturday.

It was learned that the officials of the anti-narcotic agency were trying to arrest and seize hard drugs when they were attacked by hoodlums.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, said the NDLEA officials were attacked while doing their legitimate duty.

He said, “We arrested a drug kingpin and seized drugs in the notorious Petty drug den on Lagos Island and they mobilised to attack our men.”

This development comes days after NDLEA officials arrested two singers, Zinoleesky and Mohbad, from their residence in Lekki for being in possession of hard drugs.

Although they have been released, many Nigerians queried why they were manhandled and arrested without a warrant.

However, Babafemi argued that the ID card of an NDLEA agent serves as an ‘arrest’ warrant.

In a viral video from the raid, residents could be heard demanding a warrant from the operatives who ignored them while moving on with the arrest of the singers.

In a Facebook post, Babafemi shared a screenshot of an Act that allows NDLEA operatives to search premises without having a warrant. He captioned the screenshot, “This is for the benefit of those who want to know why officers of @ndlea_nigeria don’t need a warrant to search premises or vehicles; arrest suspects or seize exhibits. It’s the LAW!”

The screenshot read, “Any officer of the Agency involved in the enforcement of the provisions of this Act: May, without a warrant, enter and search any land, building or carrier, including aircraft, vehicle or container or any other instrumentalities whatsoever which he has reason to believe is connected with the commission of an offence under this Act.

“May perform a test and take samples of any substance relating to the commission of an offence which is found on the land, building or carrier, including aircraft, vehicle or container or any other instrumentalities whatsoever pursuant to the paragraph (a) of this subsection;

“Arrest any person whom he has reason has committed an offence under this Act; Seize any item or substance which he has reason to believe has been used in the commission of an offence under this Act.” (Daily Trust)