January 23, (THEWILL) – There was chaos and confusion at the Ekeki Police Division in Yenagoa, within the state capital, as a violent confrontation ensued between two sister security agencies, the police and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, on Thursday, between 3-4 pm.
THEWILL gathered that some NDLEA operatives were in the area to enforce the arrest of a woman suspected to be a drug peddler and had even made entry in the police records before carrying out their assignment.
However, just as they were going about their operation, the policemen from the Ekeki Police Division obstructed the NDLEA operatives and it resulted in an exchange of words.
In the ensuing confusion, several shots were fired which caused panic among residents and passers by within the vicinity.
“As I was at the Bayelsa Newspaper Corporation, I heard some sporadic gunshots, about six shots and I decided to find out. As I got to the Ekeki Police Division, I saw a rowdy gathering between the police and NDLEA operatives”, the eyewitness said.
Two tires of the NDLEA vehicles were shot and deflated in the process by the police to prevent the agency from taking the alleged suspect away.
The eyewitness further stated that it was as if the police were allegedly providing cover for the drug suspect to carry out her drug business in the vicinity.
“The incident has made people suspect that the police are allegedly providing some kind of support for the woman to do drug business in the area”, he said.
When contacted, NDLEA spokesman, Mr Howells Oba, said, “Our men went for an operation behind Ekeki Police Division. Our men made entry in the police station.”
On the the shooting, Oba said, “They shot two of our vehicles tires and we are trying to see how we can take them out.”
According to him, the agency will make a formal statement on the situation, but said they are trying to resolve the issue and restore peace.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Musa Mohammed, said he was hurrying to the scene to find out what happened.
“I am going there now to find out what happened”, Mohammed stated.
He promised to call back, but as the time of filling the report, no information was received from him.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
