Three operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were injured after being attacked by gunmen during an operation in Abuja on Thursday night.
According to a statement released Friday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the attack occurred in the Jahi area of the Federal Capital Territory during a raid based on intelligence and surveillance.
“The incident occurred when a team of NDLEA operatives acting on intelligence and surveillance report raided an uncompleted building at NNPC area of Jahi where 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48 grams of tramadol 225mg and 4.9kgs of skunk, a strain of cannabis, as well as five android phones were recovered,” Babafemi explained.
He added that the team was ambushed as they were leaving the scene.
“As the NDLEA team made their way out of the location, they came under gun attack,” he said.
Three officers sustained gunshot wounds—one was hit in the rib, while the other two were shot in the back and leg.
The injured personnel were initially treated at the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 before being transferred to the National Hospital, Abuja, for more intensive care.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the swift response of medical personnel.
He said, “I commend the staff of the Police Clinic for their prompt support,” and expressed gratitude to the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital for personally overseeing the officers’ treatment.
Speaking from Kano, where he is on official duty, Marwa said he had a phone conversation with the injured officers and wished them a quick recovery.
He also gave his assurance that the agency would spare no effort to bring the attackers to justice.
“He assured them that the agency will deploy every means at its disposal and work in collaboration with other security agencies to fish out those responsible for the attack on them,” Babafemi stated.
