Panic erupted in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Thursday as a clash broke out between operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and officers of the Ekeki Police Division during an attempt to arrest a suspected drug dealer.
The altercation occurred at the Ekeki Police Division when NDLEA operatives sought to apprehend a woman accused of drug peddling.
According to reports, the NDLEA team had documented their operation in the police register before proceeding to the suspect’s location.
However, as the operatives attempted to carry out the arrest, police officers from the Ekeki Division allegedly intervened, obstructing the operation. The disagreement escalated into a heated exchange, with eyewitnesses reporting gunfire that sent residents and passersby scrambling for safety.
One resident described the scene as “chaotic,” with people fleeing in panic as tensions between the two security agencies boiled over.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that two NDLEA vehicles had their tyres deflated, allegedly from gunfire during the standoff. The vehicles were seen damaged near the police station.
Speaking on the incident, NDLEA spokesman Mr. Howells Obah said the agency had followed proper procedures. “Our officers carried out a raid near the Ekeki Police Division and properly documented their presence at the station, as required. However, the suspect, reportedly the wife of a police officer, appeared to be under police protection,” Obah stated.
He further explained, “During the operation, two of our vehicles were shot at, and we are working to retrieve them while ensuring the situation does not escalate further.”
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident, adding that he was heading to the scene to gather more information. “I am heading there now to find out what happened,” he said during a phone call.
The confrontation has raised concerns about the relationship between security agencies and the potential implications for law enforcement operations in the state.
In another development: Another Legacy Project Unveiled – Iconic 9-Storey State Secretariat Complex Begins
Bayelsa State has commenced plans for the iconic 9-storey State Secretariat Complex in Yenagoa officially kicked off, signaling a new chapter for civil servants in the state.
The Honourable Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, ESV Moses Teibowei, formally handed over the project site to Megastar Technical and Construction Company, a renowned indigenous firm.
The brief but symbolic ceremony marked the start of the ambitious project, which is expected to be completed within 24 months.
Present at the handover was Megastar’s Operational Manager, Mr. Carlo Zanone, representing the company renowned for constructing the 17-storey Local Content Tower in Yenagoa, a project that has become a hallmark of excellence.
The new Secretariat Complex as stated will transform the state’s administrative infrastructure, highlighting the government’s commitment to modernizing public service facilities and leaving a lasting legacy.
