By Erewunmi Peace

A tragic incident occurred on Monday, July 22, as a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officer was shot and killed during an anti-drug operation in Ita’nla, Ondo town. The officer, identified simply as Jide, died after being shot in the neck by suspected drug traffickers.

According to reports, the NDLEA operatives had stormed a residential apartment based on intelligence suggesting illegal drug activity. Officer Jide was stationed outside the building when he was ambushed and shot by yet-to-be-identified assailants believed to be members of a drug syndicate operating in the area.

“We lost one of our finest operatives to a brutal attack,” an NDLEA official confirmed. “He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival.”

Arrests and Recovery

Following the fatal shooting, four suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. A locally made single-barrel gun used in the attack was also recovered from the scene.

The NDLEA spokesperson noted that investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will face the full weight of the law. The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the crackdown on illegal drug operations across the country despite the dangerous conditions.

This is not the first time NDLEA officers have come under attack. In April 2025, three officers were wounded by armed hoodlums during a similar raid in the Jahi area of Abuja. The agency has described such ambushes as “unacceptable” and called for greater community cooperation and intelligence sharing.

“Our operatives put their lives on the line to rid our communities of hard drugs. We ask Nigerians to stand with us in this fight,” the agency stated.

Officer Jide’s death adds to growing concerns over the safety of law enforcement personnel involved in drug enforcement in volatile regions.

Tributes and Condolences

Tributes have begun to pour in for the fallen officer from colleagues and human rights advocates, who have called for a swift and transparent investigation. Many are urging the federal government to provide better protective equipment and intelligence support for NDLEA agents working in high-risk zones.