- NDLEA and Army officers were ambushed during a drug raid in Ukpuje, Edo State, by suspected cannabis cultivators.
- One NDLEA officer sustained a hand injury after being attacked with a sharp object during the confrontation.
- The joint NDLEA and Army operation faced heavy resistance but later resumed the mission to dismantle drug farms.
- NDLEA vowed to intensify its crackdown on drug cultivation and trafficking in Edo State to ensure a drug-free society.
A joint operation by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Nigerian Army turned violent on Monday as officers came under attack from suspected drug cultivators in Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The raid, which targeted cannabis farms and traffickers, led to an exchange of gunfire, leaving one NDLEA officer injured.
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The NDLEA Commander in Edo State, Mitchell Ofoyeju, confirmed the incident in a statement, explaining that the operation team was ambushed while advancing through Ukpuje, a community notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking.
According to Ofoyeju, the officers were met with resistance from local drug cultivators, leading to a gunfight that forced the team to temporarily abort their mission before regrouping.
He said, “A combined team of NDLEA and Army personnel came under attack on Monday at Ukpuje town in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Unfortunately, one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. The officer has since received medical treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.”
Ofoyeju praised the bravery of both NDLEA and Army officers who participated in the operation, noting that their mission was to disrupt illegal drug networks in the area. “Although we faced resistance, we are grateful that no life was lost, and the team completed the operation successfully,” he added.
The NDLEA vowed to sustain its operations against drug trafficking and cultivation across the state. Ofoyeju emphasized that the agency would not relent in its goal of achieving a drug-free Edo State, describing the raid as part of a wider effort to eliminate narcotics from Nigerian communities.
He further explained that the Ukpuje raid is part of a continuous crackdown on drug dealers and cannabis farmers. In recent months, the agency has visited several drug hotspots, arrested key dealers, and secured multiple convictions of traffickers.
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The NDLEA also continues to conduct public sensitization campaigns on the dangers of drug abuse, working closely with local communities and stakeholders to promote safety and awareness.
The operation highlights the ongoing collaboration between the NDLEA and the Nigerian Army in tackling the rising menace of drug trafficking in the country.
