Tragedy struck in the early hours of Tuesday as an operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), identified simply as Jide, was shot dead during a sting operation in the Ita’nla area of Ondo town, headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area.

 

The operation, conducted based on intelligence reports, targeted an apartment believed to be a storage point for illicit drugs hidden in the ceiling of the residence.

 

A source who spoke with journalists disclosed that the NDLEA team arrived at the building at dawn to recover the concealed narcotics. While some officers entered the house to retrieve the hidden substances, Officer Jide remained outside on sentry duty.

 

“Immediately they came in, some of them entered the building to recover the exhibits while the late officer, Jide, stood outside mounting sentry guard,” the source said.

 

However, the operation took a tragic turn when hoodlums—suspected members of the drug syndicate—emerged unexpectedly and opened fire on Jide. He was hit in the neck by a bullet and rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead by medical personnel.

 

Spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, SP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview. He stated that the police swiftly responded by deploying reinforcements to the area and successfully apprehended four prime suspects.

 

“We have been able to arrest four prime suspects who are now in our custody,” Ayanlade said, adding that a single-barrel gun was recovered from the scene.

 

He assured that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the NDLEA to ensure all those involved in the brutal attack face justice.

 

The death of Officer Jide marks a somber reminder of the grave risks faced by law enforcement agents in the battle against drug trafficking in Nigeria.