By Kenneth Ehigiator
AT least one operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has died in a mob attack at Owo, Ondo State, while trying to seize 2,300kg of cannabis.

This came as the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, vowed that the killers of the operative, identified as Abdullahi Yerima Idris, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, would be brought to book.

Vanguard gathered that the operative was killed by the mob when agents of the NDLEA and police stormed the town to seize the illicit drug.

The late officer, who was said to have sustained a fracture during the operation, died in a hospital where he was receiving treatment. His death brings to 31 the number of NDLEA officers that have died this year.

Reacting to the killing, NDLEA boss, Alhaji Giade, irked by the sad development, vowed to fight back, stressing that drug barons will have no hiding place in the country.

Giade, who described the death of the officer as painful, noted that those responsible for the attack shall be brought to book.

“The death of my officer is painful but those that perpetrated the heinous act must be brought to book. drug barons and their cohorts shall know no peace,” Giade vowed.

Also in his reaction, NDLEA Commander in Ondo State, Mr. Walter Nicholas, said that five police officers and an operative of the NDLEA sustained gun shots during the attack but were immediately rushed to the hospital for intensive care.

“In all, five police officers and one NDLEA officer sustained gunshots during the attack. They were immediately rushed to the hospital for intensive care, and most of them recovered except Abdullahi, the Superintendent of Narcotics, whom we lost. It is very sad but we are not giving up,” Walter said.