A gun battle between suspected drug barons and officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State has left one person dead and three others injured.
The deceased, 16-year-old Emmanuel Monday, was killed during the clash, while the injured include an NDLEA operative, 20-year-old Godspower Omage, and 54-year-old Ajayi Irobia.
Edo State NDLEA Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, stated that the agency’s operatives were on official assignment when they were ambushed by armed drug barons.
He said the community was renowned for cannabis sativa cultivation.
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Edo Police Deputy spokesman, ASP Eno Ikoedem, in a statement, said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited the community to condole with the bereaved family and ascertain the true situation.
It said the Edo CP visited parents of the deceased boy and held a peace engagement with community leaders and youths.
The statement said Agbonika said the Police have taken over the case and commenced a thorough and impartial investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Furthermore, the CP visited Godswill Memorial Nursing Centre, Uzeba, where he met God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), who were receiving medical attention. He assured them of justice and police support.
“The CP also visited the mortuary where the remains of the deceased boy were deposited, and he arranged for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and ensure proper documentation for the ongoing investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City. The Command assures the general public that updates on the investigation will be communicated as soon as credible findings emerge. The Edo State Police Command remains committed to upholding justice, maintaining peace, and ensuring the protection of lives and property across the state,” the statement reads.
