Hoodlums have attacked operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at Odunze Lane, Mile 3 axis of Diobu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
During the attack, the hoodlums were said to have set free a suspect, Izuu Isuofia.
PUNCH Metro learnt that three officials of the NDLEA were on duty in the area known for illicit drug activities on Friday when the attack was carried out.
An eyewitness who did not want his name in print for security reasons said the NDLEA operatives had arrested a suspected drug dealer in the area popularly known as ‘50’ and were taking him to a waiting patrol van stationed at a nearby street along Ikwerre Road Iheoma Street when some suspected cultists attacked them.
The source said a few minutes later, more hoodlums wielding bottles and other weapons started pelting the NDLEA officials with some of them sustaining injuries.
“The NDLEA men fired some shots into the air, but the cult boys were still stoning and they eventually aided the escape of the suspect before the NDLEA patrol van arrived at the scene,” he said.
Our correspondent reported that the hoodlums, who went on the rampage, on sighting police patrol vans fled with the suspect who was in handcuffs.
Meanwhile, the NDLEA has confirmed the attack on its personnel, saying the suspect was arrested with a large quantity of cannabis sativa.
The spokesperson for the NDLEA, Rivers State Command, Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, in a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, said the hoodlums escaped with the drugs seized alongside the suspect.
The statement titled “Mob attack on operatives of NDLEA Rivers State Command” however said the state commander had ordered the re-arrest of the fugitive and his gang members.
The statement read, “In the evening of Friday, April 14, 2023, operatives of the NDLEA, Rivers State Command, raided a hangout/drinking joint around Odunze Street, Mile 3 Diobu, Port Harcourt and a suspected drug dealer named Izuu Isuofia popularly called ‘50’ was apprehended with a large quantity of cannabis sativa.
“While trying to move the suspect to the patrol van, he raised the alarm and was resisting arrest which resulted in a scuffle, and within minutes, hoodlums in their large numbers attacked our officers with bottles and stones, and managed to free the already handcuffed suspect as well as carting away his exhibit before the arrival of our back-up team.
“The State Commander, Ahmed Mamuda, has tasked operatives of the command to deploy all necessary arsenals to ensure that the suspect and his cohorts are arrested and brought to justice.”
