NDLEA Officer Drowns While Chasing Suspected Drug Offender Into Delta River

An officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has reportedly drowned in the River Ethiopewhile pursuing a suspected drug offender in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday during an anti-drug operation near the River Ethiope Bridge. Multiple reports said NDLEA operatives had apprehended a suspected drug offender allegedly found with illicit drugs when the suspect broke free and jumped into the river in an attempt to escape.

The officers reportedly entered the river in an effort to prevent the suspect from escaping.

However, the pursuit turned fatal when one of the operatives drowned.

Another officer who entered the river was reportedly rescued and taken to a hospital for medical treatment, while the suspect and other persons being pursued were said to have escaped through the water.

The body of the deceased officer was later recovered from the river.

Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in Obiaruku were performed before the remains were released to the NDLEA. The sources claimed the rites included the provision of a goat and other specified items.

The identity of the deceased officer has not been publicly disclosed.

There were also conflicting accounts surrounding the circumstances of the drowning. One community source described the incident as unusual and claimed the section of the river where the incident occurred was not considered deep enough to cause a drowning. That claim has not been independently verified.

The Delta State Commander of the NDLEA, Halilu Hamidi, referred enquiries to the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, when contacted by journalists. Babafemi had not publicly provided further details in the reports reviewed.

However, an NDLEA official confirmed that the incident occurred and said an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death and determine what happened during the pursuit.

The incident has highlighted the risks faced by law enforcement personnel during operations, particularly when suspects attempt to escape through waterways.

The NDLEA has yet to publicly release the identities of the deceased officer, the surviving operative or the suspected drug offender involved in the incident.