Agency refused to help drowning man during raid

chika ebuzor

September 14, 2015 5:35 AM

Residents also said that NDLEA officials collect N40, 000 to N45,000 from people they arrest.

Residents of Agboyi, Alapere area of Lagos State, have reacted to the alleged inhuman behaviour of officials of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to a report from Punch Newspapers, NDLEA officials who were on a routine raid refused to help a 32 year old man, and graduate of Law, Dapo Olasore who was drowning in a river.

In an interview, with Punch, an eyewitness, Tosin Oshin said “They went to the riverside, where Omopo (Olasore) was about boarding a canoe. As Omopo saw one of them, he wanted to run like other people, but the officers held him. In the struggle to free himself, he fell into the river."

Adding that “A boat operator, who was about to rescue him, was threatened with guns. Omopo raised his hand and asked for help, but they didn’t help him. Immediately the incident happened, the officials fled the community with two suspects."

Also, a resident, Ayeni Oluwatoyin, who also spoke with Punch said “After collecting the vests from him, they (NDLEA men) grabbed him by the neck and hit him. The boy begged them, but they did not let him go."

The boat operator, Dayo Seun, also said “I was on the other side of the river when I saw the man fall inside the river. I quickly paddled my canoe to the place he fell into to rescue him, but they pointed their guns at me, and asked me to go back.”

chika ebuzor