A dramatic clash unfolded in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as operatives of the Nigeria Police and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) locked horns over the arrest of a suspected female drug dealer. The confrontation occurred on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Ekeki Police Division, sparking panic among residents.
Reports reveal that NDLEA operatives arrived at the Ekeki area, officially logging their mission at the police station before attempting to apprehend the suspect. However, their operation hit a snag when policemen from the division allegedly obstructed them, leading to a heated altercation.
The standoff escalated, with multiple gunshots—about six, according to eyewitnesses—ringing out. This chaotic scene left residents scrambling for safety. One witness recounted, “I was at the Bayelsa Newspaper Corporation when I heard the shots. Curious, I went to the Ekeki Police Division and saw the confrontation between the police and NDLEA operatives.”
In the fracas, two NDLEA operational vehicles were reportedly shot by the police, preventing the agency from taking the suspect into custody.
Eyewitnesses have raised suspicions that the police might be shielding the drug dealer. One local claimed, “It seems the police are providing cover for the woman to operate her drug business in the area.”
NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Howells Oba, confirmed the incident, stating, “Our operatives were on a legitimate operation, and proper entry was made at the police station. Unfortunately, two of our vehicles were shot, and we are working on retrieving them.” He assured the public that the agency is focused on resolving the matter and restoring peace.
Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Musa Mohammed, said he was heading to the scene to gather facts, noting, “I am on my way there to find out what happened.”
The clash has sparked widespread concern about inter-agency coordination and allegations of corruption. Meanwhile, residents hope for swift action to prevent such incidents from recurring.