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Concerns have been raised over recent shootings by operatives of the Nigerian National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which resulted in the deaths of two people in Lagos State. The families of the victims are demanding justice and that the NDLEA officers involved be held accountable. The victims, Gafaru Yusuf and Emmanuel Olomowewe, were hit by stray bullets during an indiscriminate shooting incident. Witnesses claim that the NDLEA operatives were raiding a drug den in the area when they started shooting to scare off potential troublemakers. The NDLEA spokesperson said the officers were defending themselves during the operation.
Concerns have been raised regarding the recent sporadic shootings in a residential area by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
The families of the victims, devastated by the tragic incident that occurred in the Idioro area of Mushin, Lagos State, are now demanding that the NDLEA officers involved in the killing of their loved ones be held accountable.
Gafaru Yusuf, a 22-year-old, was reportedly killed on the spot when he was struck in the head by a stray bullet fired by the NDLEA officers while he was on his way to buy food in the community, according to his elder sister who spoke to reporters.
His family is currently in mourning.
The second victim, Emmanuel Olomowewe, also died immediately when he was hit in the chest by a stray bullet, according to an eyewitness account.
Sources have stated that “the NDLEA officers stormed the community around 9.40pm on Wednesday to raid a drug den when they began shooting indiscriminately to intimidate hoodlums attempting to disrupt their operation in the community.”
In the process of shooting, the stray bullets hit and killed the victims, whose families are now demanding justice.
Muhibah, Yusuf’s elder sister who spoke to reporters, said, “My brother usually assists my father at his workplace in Lagos. But yesterday (Wednesday), he did not go to work. From what I was told, he was on his way to buy food around 9.40pm when we received the information that he was hit by a bullet fired by the NDLEA officers. We want justice.”
However, his mother, devastated by the untimely death of her son, was too grief-stricken to speak and handed the phone to someone else.
Olasunkanmi, a resident in the area, is concerned about the devastating consequences of the incident. He questions why the officers would indiscriminately shoot in a residential area and expresses the community’s anger over the incident.
“We are not saying the NDLEA should not do their job, but why would their officers shoot recklessly in a residential area? The NDLEA officers invaded a drug den in the community around 10pm and started seizing illicit drugs, which is within their rights.
“The officers were about 50, and most of them were armed. Some wore the agency’s uniform, while others were in casual wear. The people involved in the drug business were angered by the raid and started threatening to cause trouble.
“But the NDLEA officers started shooting to enforce their authority, and stray bullets hit two young boys in the head and chest. Both of them died on the spot.”
Lukmon believes that the NDLEA officers should devise effective strategies to carry out their duties without endangering the lives of innocent people.
“We are tired of the NDLEA’s presence in our neighborhood. Why would they shoot carelessly in a residential area? If they want to work, they should have a target and a plan to arrest the target instead of carelessly shooting and killing two innocent people,” he said.
“It is uncalled for; they suddenly stormed the area with guns and started shooting. Gafar Yusuf, 22, was killed on Imoru Street. We are already making arrangements to bury his body. We heard that three people were killed during the raid, but for now, I can confirm the deaths of two individuals,” Lukmon added.
In response, Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for the NDLEA, explained that the NDLEA officers were in the area to arrest a drug baron when the incident occurred.
He stated that during the operation, some suspects were arrested, and illicit drugs were recovered.
“Our officers went to Mushin on Wednesday night to arrest the baron behind the drug shipments from Ghana.
“After arresting some of the wanted suspects and recovering drugs and vehicles, our officers were attacked by their associates who had blocked all the exit gates in the community. Our officers had to defend themselves to safely leave the area,” he explained.
