Three officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are currently receiving medical treatment after being shot during a raid in Abuja. The officers were attacked while carrying out an operation in the Jahi area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leading to serious gunshot wounds. The attack occurred during a mission to seize illegal drugs from a suspected location, and the injured officers were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the raid took place on Thursday evening in an uncompleted building near the NNPC area of Jahi, following thorough intelligence gathering and surveillance. The operation targeted the illegal trafficking of controlled substances, and the officers managed to recover several illicit items, including bottles of codeine, tramadol, skunk, and mobile phones.
Babafemi explained that the officers were initially successful in their operation, collecting critical evidence of drug trafficking activities in the area. Among the seized items were 74 bottles of codeine, 10 litres of codeine syrup, 48 grammes of tramadol (225mg), 4.9 kilogrammes of skunk, and five Android phones. These items were believed to be intended for illegal distribution within the capital and potentially beyond.
However, as the NDLEA officers were leaving the scene after completing the raid, they came under gunfire from unknown assailants. The attackers, who had been hiding nearby, opened fire on the officers as they exited the building. Three officers were shot during the ambush—one officer was hit in the rib, while the other two sustained gunshot wounds to their back and leg.
The officers were rushed to the Police Clinic in Garki Area 1 for initial stabilization before being transferred to the National Hospital in Abuja for further medical care. Babafemi noted that the police clinic’s staff acted swiftly to stabilize the wounded officers, which was crucial in preventing further harm.
The NDLEA’s Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (Rtd.), expressed his gratitude to the medical staff at the Police Clinic for their quick intervention in stabilizing the officers. He also extended thanks to the Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital, who personally oversaw the treatment of the officers after the attack. Marwa reassured the public that the NDLEA would work closely with other security agencies to identify the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to justice.
In a statement released on Friday, Marwa emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting its officers and continuing its fight against drug trafficking in the country. He also stated that he had personally spoken with the injured officers while on official duty in Kano to wish them a speedy recovery. The NDLEA Chairman’s call demonstrated the agency’s strong leadership and commitment to the well-being of its personnel.
“We are deeply grateful for the swift action taken by the medical teams who ensured our officers received immediate care,” Marwa said. “We are also working closely with our security partners to identify the criminals behind this attack. This will not deter us from carrying out our duties, and we remain committed to ensuring that those who engage in drug-related crimes are apprehended and brought to justice.”
This attack comes at a time when drug trafficking and abuse continue to pose significant challenges to Nigeria. The country has been grappling with increasing levels of drug-related offenses, with substances such as codeine, tramadol, and marijuana (known as skunk) being sold illegally and abused by a growing number of individuals. The NDLEA’s recent efforts have focused on curbing the availability of these substances and dismantling networks involved in their illegal distribution.
Abuja, being the nation’s capital, is a prime location for drug trafficking operations due to its central role in the country’s economic, political, and social activities. Drug traffickers often exploit the city’s large population and connectivity to other parts of Nigeria to distribute illegal substances. The raid on the Jahi area was part of the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to target and disrupt these criminal networks.
The NDLEA has been making strides in its anti-drug operations, with several successful raids in the past year. The agency has also been working closely with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, to improve coordination in the fight against drugs and related crimes. However, the increasing level of violence against law enforcement personnel, as seen in the recent attack, highlights the risks faced by officers in the line of duty.
The attack on the NDLEA officers underscores the growing threats to law enforcement personnel in Nigeria, especially those involved in high-risk operations targeting organized criminal activities. In recent months, there have been several reports of violent attacks on officers during drug busts, human trafficking investigations, and anti-terrorism operations. Criminals involved in these illicit activities have become increasingly brazen, using violence to intimidate and retaliate against law enforcement.
The attack in Jahi also raises concerns about the safety of NDLEA officers and other security personnel across the country. While the government has made efforts to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat drug-related crimes, incidents like this show that more needs to be done to protect the lives of officers who risk their safety daily to uphold the rule of law.
In response to the attack, Nigerians have expressed concerns over the safety of law enforcement personnel, especially in volatile areas where organized crime is prevalent. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of support for the NDLEA officers and calls for justice for those responsible for the attack.
While the NDLEA continues its investigation into the incident, authorities have promised to hold the perpetrators accountable. Lawmakers have also raised concerns about the growing violence against officers and have called for greater investment in protecting law enforcement personnel.
As the NDLEA moves forward with its efforts to combat drug trafficking, the agency has assured the public that it will not be deterred by this attack and will continue to carry out its mission to safeguard Nigerians from the dangers posed by illegal drugs.
While the wounded officers are receiving treatment, the NDLEA and other security agencies have launched an investigation to track down the assailants behind this attack. Authorities have vowed to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that such incidents do not hinder the agency’s fight against drug-related crimes in the country.
