Residents of the Idioro area in Mushin, Lagos State, have been thrown into mourning following a drug raid conducted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
During the operation, two individuals, including one Gafar Yusuf, died in the chaos.
According to eyewitnesses, the NDLEA operatives arrived in the community at around 10 pm and commenced the raid with the intention of apprehending drug dealers. However, they reportedly started shooting indiscriminately to disperse potential troublemakers, causing stray bullets to hit Yusuf in the head and another yet-to-be-identified person in the chest. Tragically, both victims lost their lives on the spot.
Olasunkanmi, a resident of the area, expressed dismay at using such force within a residential neighborhood, stating, “We are not saying the NDLEA should not do their job, but why will its operatives be shooting anyhow in a residential area? The NDLEA operatives invaded a drug den in the community around 10 pm and started seizing illicit drugs which is OK.”
“The operatives were about 50 in number, and most of them were armed. While some wore the official uniform, others were dressed in casual wear. The people dealing in the drug business were enraged by the raid and started threatening to make trouble.
“But the NDLEA operatives started shooting to have their way, and stray bullets hit two young boys in the head and chest. Both of them died on the spot. The name of one of the victims is Gafar Yusuf. After killing them, the NDLEA operatives attempted to take their corpses away, but people in the area resisted.”
Lukmon, another resident, shared the heartbreaking account of Yusuf’s mother, Olaide, who was devastated by the loss of her son. Lukmon said, “We are tired of the NDLEA’s issue in our neighborhood. Why will they be shooting carelessly in a residential neighborhood? If they want to work, it is expected that they would have a target and they should have a plan for how they will arrest the target instead of shooting carelessly to the point of killing two innocent persons.”
“It is uncalled for; they suddenly stormed the area with guns and started shooting. Gafar Yusuf, 22, was killed on Imoru Street. We are already making arrangements to bury his corpse. We heard three people were killed during the raid, but what I can confirm to you, for now, is the death of two persons.
“Yusuf’s mother called me yesterday that a bullet had hit him and that he was running errands when he got struck down by the bullets fired by the NDLEA operatives.”
Videos captured during the raid showed chaotic scenes of people fleeing in fear while the victims’ lifeless bodies lay on the road, surrounded by grieving community members.
Follow us on Twitter for more news updates.
Comments 1