Six dead as hoodlums attack NDLEA officials in Ogun State

No fewer than six persons among who are three operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were said to have been killed in a violent clash between security personnel and some villagers at Owode area of Idi Iroko, Ogun State.

The NDLEA officials were said to have stormed the village in a commando-style in search of some suspected drug dealers allegedly operating within the Idi IrokoOwode axis of Ogun State.

Trouble started when the operatives who arrived the sleepy village at about 8.30 am began firing sporadic shots into the air and killing three of the villagers in the process.

An eye witness alleged that it was the death of the three yet to be identified persons that triggered a reprisal attack by the village youths.

“When the enormity of what happen dawned on the NDLEA operatives, they made a quick u-turn and headed back to base. Unfortunately they ran into an irate youth who had gathered at the village square.

“The youth opened fire at the approaching patrol van and in the exchange of gunshots, three NDLEA operatives lay dead,” the witness added.

Another version had it that it was the villagers who opened fire at the approaching security men killing three of them.

The second witness also alleged that the swift reaction on the part of the villagers coupled with the firing showed they may have had prior information about the operation.

Presently an uneasy calm hovers around the area as a combined team of military men and anti-riot policemen from Elewe Eran are on ground to restore peace to the community.

NDLEA Head of Public Affairs, Mitchel Ofoyeju confirmed the attack to Daily Trust on phone. He said it was only three of their men that were killed in the attack.

Ofoyeju said based on the information a team of NDLEA operatives were drafted to the area.

He said that the bodies of the deceased operatives have been deposited at the mortuary, while investigations into the killing by both the police and NDLEA were ongoing.

Mitchel said one suspect has been arrested.