Gunmen suspected to be drug dealers has shot dead an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ondo zonal command.
The late NDLEA simply identified as Jide was until the incident attached to the Nacotic Department of the NDLEA Ondo zonal command.
The incident which happened at the Ita-Nla area of Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo west local government area of Ondo State, caused panic in the area as residents scampered for safety.
The tragic incident occurred when a team of NDLEA operatives stormed an apartment in the area following intelligence that illicit drugs were pilled up in the ceiling of the building.
While some of the officers went inside to carry out the search, the deceased officer, who was stationed outside on surveillance duty, was attacked by armed assailants who reportedly opened fire and shot him in the neck.
He was immediately rushed to the Ondo Trauma Center for urgent medical attention where he was later confirmed dead on arrival by the doctors.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Olayinka Ayanlade, said the police swiftly mobilised and reinforced security presence in the area following the deadly attack.
Ayanlade disclosed that four suspects linked to the crime had been arrested, and a single-barrel gun was recovered from them.
He noted that the command is collaborating with the NDLEA to get to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and we will ensure that everyone connected to this heinous crime is prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the police spokesman assured.
The incident has sparked tension in the community, with security operatives maintaining heavy presence in the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order