TRAGEDY: NDLEA Officer Drowns In Delta While Chasing Drug Suspect Into River Ethiope
By Peculiar Orhofo & Imami Alviana (I.T. Students)
A personnel member of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has reportedly drowned in the Onoku River while attempting to apprehend a suspected drug offender at River Ethiope in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
The incident occurred when the suspected drug offender allegedly jumped into the river after sighting NDLEA operatives who were reportedly on an operation in the area.
In an attempt to prevent the suspect from escaping, two of the officers reportedly entered the river in pursuit of him.
The operation, however, turned tragic when one of the officers drowned, while the other was rescued and rushed to a hospital for medical attention.
The suspect reportedly succeeded in escaping through the river.
The body of the deceased officer was later recovered from the river and handed over to the appropriate authorities.
The Rainbow Newspaper sources said the recovery and release of the body reportedly followed the performance of traditional rites required by the community for persons who drown in the River Ethiope.
The rites were said to have included the provision of a goat and other traditional items.
The incident has reportedly caused concern among residents, who described it as a mystery, noting that the river was not deep enough to drown someone.
Meanwhile, the details surrounding the circumstances of the operation and the identity of the deceased officer were still being awaited at the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the Delta State Commander of the NDLEA, Halilu Hamidi, referred journalists to the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, for a response.
However, an NDLEA official confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the actual cause of the officer’s death.
