The NDLEA has launched an investigation into a stray bullet incident that claimed the life of a 2-year-old boy and injured his brother’s eye.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has stated that it is investigating a shooting incident involving its officers during a drug raid in the Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta state, in which a young boy was hit by a stray bullet and died while receiving treatment in the hospital.

According to a statement released by the Agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, today Saturday 15th July, the Chairman/Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has set up a panel of top officials from the national headquarters in Abuja to immediately proceed to Asaba for an on-the-spot investigation of the unfortunate incident with a view to establishing the actual facts of the case.

The statement went on to include an initial incident report, which reads as follows:

“A team of NDLEA operatives carried out an intelligence-based raid of the joint of a notorious drug dealer located at Okpanam area of Asaba at about 1600 hours on Thursday 13th July and in the process of the operation, a Toyota Camry 2008 model, light blue colour at the scene suddenly zoomed off and knocked down one of our officers who is currently in critical condition, undergoing treatment in a hospital. 

In a bid demobilize the car and prevent it from escaping, another officer fired a shot aimed at the tyre of the car, which eventually escaped. While the injured Officer was rushed for treatment, the officers got reports of a stray bullet hitting a young person and immediately located the father of the victim, followed him to the hospital and supported in facilitating his treatment but unfortunately died in the process. 

We’re in touch with the family to provide necessary assistance while we conclude our investigation of the incident. We will like to assure the family and members of the public that we’ll get to the root of the case and take necessary action(s).”