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| Victim of the shooting |
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, or NDLEA, has announced that it has started an investigation into a shooting accident that occurred during a drug raid joint in the Okpanam area of Asaba, Delta State.
The NDLEA's director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafeni, revealed the agency's decision to investigate the accident in a statement issued to the newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
Mr. Babafemi stated that a young man was reportedly wounded by a stray bullet fired by an NDLEA officer, and that innocent young man later passed away while receiving medical attention in a hospital.
He said that following initial briefings on the incident from the Delta Command, NDLEA Chairman Buba Marwa established the inquiry panel, which was made up of senior officers from the national headquarters.
Mr. Babafemi claimed that the chairman gave the investigators the go-ahead to head straight to Asaba in order to ascertain the case's exact facts.
He claims that the NDLEA is communicating with the decreased's family.
Mr Babafemi also relayed the Delta command's initial briefing on the situation to the Chairman.
According to the Daily Nigerian, he said, “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 July 13.
“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 demobilise 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.”