Hoodlums assault NDLEA operatives, free drug trafficking kingpin in Rivers

A group of hoodlums suspected to be cultists mobilized, attacked and efficiently set a drug trafficking kingpin free from the custody of operatives of Nigeria Drug Regulation Enforcement Company, NDLEA, quickly after his arrest in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday night.

The incident occurred round Odunze road axis of Ikwerre street in Mile 3, Diobu, within the state capital.

An eyewitness within the space mentioned the big variety of hoodlums who had been armed with weapons, knives, damaged bottles and different harmful weapons attacked the NDLEA officers shortly after they arrested a drug supplier popularly referred to as ’50’.”

It was learnt that three of the NDLEA officers wearing mufti had in an undercover operation efficiently entered the Odunze, an space considered a den of cultists and illicit drug trafficking at Mile 3, Diobu with the mentioned ’50’ as their prime goal.

A supply, nonetheless, revealed that after the NDLEA officers apprehended the mentioned “50” and had been dragging him to their patrol van stationed at Ikwerre street by Iheoma road, Mile 3, Diobu, scores of suspected Deygbam cultists mobilized to the scene and confronted them.

Armed with harmful weapons, like bottles, stones and weapons, the cultists launched an assault on the officers of NDLEA

It was additional gathered that the in self protection, and to scare off the hoodlums, the NDLEA officers fired some pictures into the air.

However the rampaging cultists weren’t deterred as they ultimately aided the escape of their ally ’50’ earlier than the NDLEA patrol van arrived on the scene.

A few of the NDLEA officers reportedly sustained accidents within the assault.

Eyewitnesses acknowledged that the incident brought on pandemonium and heavy site visitors across the Ikwerre street axis of town.

It was additional learnt making the most of the confusion, the hoodlums went on rampage robbing pedestrians and motorists.

Mr Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, head of Public Affairs Officer, Media and Advocacy unit of NDLEA in Rivers State has not formally reacted to the incident as on the time of penning this report.

Nevertheless, Police patrol vans are seen patrolling the area.