Rivers hoodlums attack NDLEA men, free suspect, flee with drug

Hoodlums have attacked operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at Odunze Lane, Mile 3 area 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 on a nearby street along Ikwerre Road, Iheoma Street, when the hoodlums 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 hoodlums continued stoning and they eventually aided the escape of the suspect before the NDLEA patrol van arrived at the scene,” he said.

The hoodlums, on sighting police patrol van, fled with the suspect who was in handcuffs.

The NDLEA confirmed the attack on its personnel, saying the suspect was arrested with a large quantity of cannabis.

The spokesperson for the NDLEA, Rivers State Command, Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, in a statement said the hoodlums escaped with the drugs seized alongside the suspect.

The statement added that 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, 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 resisted arrest and raised the alarm which resulted in a scuffle, and within minutes, hoodlums in a 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.”

PUNCH