NDLEA officer drowns while chasing drug suspect into Delta river

An unnamed officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been reported to have drowned after chasing a drug suspect into the Ethiope River in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

The news of his death, said to have happened on Saturday, was recorded on camera and shared online by a correspondent of this newspaper.

According to information accompanying the video, the NDLEA officers were reportedly attempting to apprehend suspected drug offenders when one of the suspects, who was allegedly being taken towards the Ethiope River Bridge, jumped into the river in an attempt to escape.

The officers reportedly followed the suspect into the river in an effort to apprehend him.

While one of the officers was reportedly rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention, another was said to have drowned in the process.

The suspected offenders were also said to have escaped through the river.

The body of the officer reportedly drowned was later recovered from the river.

Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in the area were performed before the remains were released to the relevant authorities.

The sources claimed that items, including a goat, were provided as part of the traditional rites.

However, Vanguard could not independently verify the identities of the officers involved, the suspected offenders or the circumstances surrounding the alleged pursuit.

The NDLEA was yet to officially comment on the incident as of press time.

A similar incident happened in August 2016, when an NDLEA officer attached to Borno State Command drowned while chasing a notorious drug baron.

Ona Ogilegwu, NDLEA Commandant in Borno, told newsmen that the incident occurred during an operation in the Gwange area of Maiduguri.

He said, “In an effort to arrest a notorious baron, four men of the command were involved in a water mishap after diving into the Gwange River in pursuit of the suspect.”

The narcotic boss said that the NDLEA officials were involved in the mishap because they could not swim.

He said, “The sad incident led to the death of one of our officers in the hospital after a failed attempt to revive him.

“The survivors were discharged from hospital.”