NDLEA’s stray bullet kills 2-year-old boy in Delta

A stray bullet from the gun of an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has killed a two-year-old boy in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

It was gathered that the boy was hit by a stray bullet following a shooting incident during a raid on a drug joint in the Okpanam area of Asaba on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

It was learned that an officer of the anti-drug agency was also injured during the incident.

Confirming the incident on Saturday, July 15, the NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy (NDLEA) Femi Babafemi, said the two-year-old boy died while undergoing treatment in a hospital.

He stated that the chairman of the anti-drug agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Retd), has set up the investigation panel consisting top officials from the national headquarters, after receiving initial briefings on the incident from the Delta State Command.

Babafemi noted that Marwa has directed the investigators to immediately proceed to Asaba to establish the actual facts of the case, adding that the NDLEA has been in touch with the family of the deceased.

The NDLEA spokesman, while reporting the initial brief on the incident given to Marawa by the Delta State Command, stated: “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.”

The Star

Segun Ojo